South Africa set a milestone ahead of his World Cup title defense by hammering New Zealand 35-7 in a warm-up clash at Twickenham.

The reigning world champions dominated from the first whistle on a grueling night for World Cup favorites New Zealand, who had Scott Barrett sent off in the first half, leaving his participation in the tournament uncertain.

South Africa beat Wales 52-16 in Cardiff last weekend and started in the same vain, with relentless early pressure leading to a 13th-minute sin for Barrett – who paid the price New Zealand’s repeated breaches.

“I think rugby is a pretty simple game. You have to put in good platforms and we didn’t, in attack and defense. Defensively, we were too anxious, too enthusiastic. Good lessons. In the second half we made a lot of changes and it was a young group. We saw them making great efforts but we lost our cohesion.

“Tyrel is pretty bad, actually. He’s got a pretty bad cut to the thigh muscle. We’ll have to check which boot this is from. He’s not in very good shape. I would doubt [he’s out of the World Cup].”

Foster hinted in it that New Zealand were concerned about certain plastic cleats used by players and suggested the All Blacks would investigate.

“We have had some pretty big cuts. There is no doubt that it is accidental, but we have to make sure to take care of our player.

“We came second tonight. South Africa played a magnificent game, very physical, started strong and put a lot of pressure on us. Congratulations to them.

“As we approach a World Cup, it is a very clear reminder of the importance of the set piece and maintaining your discipline. I thought for the first 20 minutes our defense was outstanding, we held on but kept giving them another chance. A great performance from them and from which we will learn a lot.

“We have a lot of confidence in the way we followed, but we can’t deny that it wasn’t a good performance on our part. We have a few weeks to get there.

“I am honored to be back. It has been an amazing journey for the group. Seeing so many beautiful South Africans here, I can’t tell you how proud I am. We thank you, we appreciate you, we do it for you. Keep supporting us.

“We have worked hard. We knew what happened the last time we faced them. We said we were going to give it our all. We had to work again and again, even though they had fewer men.

“We knew we had to start in front with the forwards. Our backs are special. We had to concentrate hard. I’m proud of the boys but we know the hard work starts now. We have to go and defend the World Cup in France.

Declaration made. A demolition job from the Springboks, aided by poor discipline from the All Blacks, but well worth their 28-point margin of victory to give themselves the perfect launching pad for their World Cup defence.

New Zealand weren’t even close to where they needed to be to compete with South Africa today. The dismissal of Scott Barrett, as well as the injury of Tyrel Lomax, will leave Ian Foster with many worries just a fortnight before the opening match of Pool A against France in Paris.

This is useless. That will be it.

A penalty awarded to the All Blacks gives them one last chance. Ardie Savea exploits it quickly but meets his equal in Kwagga Smith. Cam Roigard gets things done with Rieko Ioane almost free.

South Africa remains safe, but breached. Mark Telea prepares to type in the shadows of the messages as the siren sounds.

New Zealand responds in the same way, indulging in its own extravagant dance. Cam Roigard sends the Barrett Brothers in pursuit with a left kick but a later toe is way too meaty. South Africa opt for a scrum 15 yards from their own line as Springbok fans inside Twickenham launch into a wave of celebration.

South Africa stretches almost from coast to coast! Andre Esterhuizen gets his hands on the ball at the limit of his 22 and the Springboks can play with boldness, caution and the ball tossed to the wind given the size of their advantage.

Hands are gorgeous to release Kurt-Lee Arendse, who seems to have beaten all bar Mark Telea. Arendse waits a little too long, however, allowing Telea’s support to arrive. When the wing finally releases its offload, it runs out of breath and Damian Willemse cannot collect at his ankles.