CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — New Zealand’s first full-scale tour of South Africa in 30 years began with an underwhelming 38-21 win over the Stormers on Friday.The scoreline flattered a scratch All Blacks side which was favored by at least 30 points.The makeshift Stormers in preseason mode rallied twice to tie the score, which was knotted at 14 until 13 minutes to go. When the Stormers lost their second scrumhalf and had no more reserve backs, the patched-up backline was ruthlessly exposed by New Zealand, which piled on three tries in the last eight minutes.But the result papered over a performance that was blighted by ill-discipline — three yellow cards — and struggles with the Stormers’ scrum and maul. The All Blacks overcame those with six tries to three by the Stormers in front of a non-sell-out crowd of 47,130.The good news for the tourists was the injuries appeared limited to Billy Proctor’s shoulder, seven players made their first appearance in the black jersey this year, and two more debuted off the bench; prop Siale Lauaki and inside back Josh Jacomb.
The standout players in Cape Town Stadium were Stormers flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed, who looked serene in his first-class debut at age 20, and flanker Deon Fourie, the dynamo who will be 40 next month.No All Black seemed to push a persuasive case to start in the much-anticipated four-test series that begins in two weeks. There will be big pre-planned changes in the lineup to play the Sharks in Durban on Tuesday.
