New Zealand's first full-scale tour of South Africa in 30 years began with an underwhelming 38-21 win over the Stormers. The scoreline flattered a scratch All Blacks side which was favoured to win comfortably.\n\nThe makeshift Stormers rallied twice to tie the score, which was knotted at 14-14 until 13 minutes to go. When the Stormers lost their second scrum-half and had no more reserve backs, the patched-up backline was ruthlessly exposed by New Zealand, who scored three tries in the last eight minutes.\n\nBut the result only papered over a performance blighted by ill-discipline, three yellow cards, and a struggling set-piece.

They overcame those with six tries to three in front of a 47,130 crowd. The good news: no major injuries, seven players made their first appearance this year, and two more debuted off the bench.\n\nThe most impressive players were Stormers fly-half Yaqeen Ahmed, cool in his first-class debut at age 20, and flanker Deon Fourie, the dynamo who will be 40 next month.