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RSA vs NZL

The Rugby Championship

Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg

South Africa

vs

New Zealand

31
FT
27
Action
Lineups
All
Facts Only
All
Full-Time: 31 - 27
The win gives the Springboks a massive advantage in The Rugby Championship, and they'll feel they can just about get both hands on the trophy if they win next week in Cape Town. That promises to be another cracker, so follow along then. For now, this is Ryan Nixon (@NewYorkNixon) signing off.
As for the Boks, it was a fantastic win, and it showed their class right now as the best team in the world. They were made to work extremely hard, but didn't waver in their strategy, and were excellent across the park. The bench will rightly get many of the plaudits, but they had some strong performances also from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian De Allende, Aphelele Fassi and Ruan Nortje.
There's plenty to like from the All Blacks, and in particular their starting group, that will give them hope for their trip to Cape Town next weekend. The starting front row were excellent, Tupou Vaa'i had one of his best tests in a black jersey, and the loose trio were industrious. In the backs, Damian McKenzie was able to find space with his passing and running, while Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan were constant threats out wide.
It wasn't to be though, as the South African bench made a far greater impact over the final quarter hour. With the All Blacks under pressure, losing the kicking battles, and giving away penalties, it seemed inevitable that the Springboks would finish over the top. They did just that, with Kwagga Smith and Grant Williams pinching close range tries to nudge the Boks ahead, and they never really looked like giving it away in the final minutes. In comparison, the All Blacks weren't able to get any impact from their bench, and in fact, some of the replacements came to their detriment, with Cortez Ratima, Ofa Tuungafasi and Samipeni Finau all guilty of giving away key penalties.
SPRINGBOKS WIN IT! They rally back from ten points down, and under a heap of pressure, to snatch the win with a fantastic final fifteen minutes. It was there for the taking for the All Blacks after an impressive first hour or so, as they were able to capitalise on South African errors and utilise their handling skills and pace to turn opportunities into points. When Caleb Clarke crossed for his second, it seemed that the All Blacks were going to pick up another Ellis Park victory.
80'
Again South Africa are happy to kick the ball away and ask the All Blacks to go 90m to win it. McKenzie looks wide for Finau, before Savea makes a great charge. It's then wide, but Beauden Barrett kicks across the park for nobody and the Boks claim. They tuck the ball up their jumper to try close this out.
79'
Clarke can't quite get the 22 back for the All Blacks, but the Springboks then go high towards the 22 and it's well claimed by the visitors. They try a little kick over the top looking for McKenzie, but the Springboks clean up back near halfway.
78'
A let off, as the penalty from 40m out is put to the left.
S. Feinberg-Mngomezulu
Missed Penalty
78'