South Africa vs New Zealand LIVE rugby: Result and final score as All Blacks hold off Springboks in thriller
South Africa 23-35 New Zealand: With their backs against the wall after recent results, the All Blacks held off a thrilling comeback from the Springboks in Johannesburg to claim a vital win
Centre David Havili and lock Scott Barrett scored late tries as New Zealand eased the pressure on coach Ian Foster with a superb 35-23 victory over South Africa in their Rugby Championship clash at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Captain Sam Cane and hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho also scored tries as the All Blacks silenced the 61,519 crowd to claim what will be viewed as a famous win having lost five of their previous six tests.
The Springboks were not as clinical as they had been in the 26-10 victory over the visitors the previous week as they scored tries through sublime centre Lukhanyo Am and winger Makazole Mapimpi, but faced opponents who were vastly improved.
Whether the victory is enough to save Foster’s job will become clear in the coming days, as New Zealand prepare to host Argentina in their next Rugby Championship clash on Aug. 27, while the Boks travel to play Australia on the same day.
Relive the action from a thrilling Rugby Championship clash, below:
South Africa 10-15 New Zealand (POLLARD pen 40’)
Brilliant from Pollard! That just about had the distance and drops over!
South Africa 7-15 New Zealand
40 mins: The clock is in the red... and South Africa get the penalty on halfway!
Pollard is asking for the tee...
South Africa 7-15 New Zealand
38 mins: And a terrific kick from Pollard adds the conversion. This match has turned...
TRY! South Africa 5-15 New Zealand (AM 36’)
Just what they needed!
South Africa are right back into this on the stroke of half-time as Lukhanyo Am pushes away the challenge of Caleb Clarke and powers over the line in the corner. The Boks were so quick there and needed to be to get on the board before the break.
South Africa 0-15 New Zealand
36 mins: South Africa have turned to the bomb squad earlier than usual. Both Malcom Marx and Steven Kitshoff are already on for the Boks.
South Africa 0-15 New Zealand
35 mins: Mo’unga adds the conversion from the other side. Great kick.
South Africa 0-15 New Zealand
TRY! South Africa 0-13 New Zealand (TAUKEI’AHO 33’)
And there it is! The hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho rolls away from the ruck to finish at the line! New Zealand have been on fire so far and their forwards are dominating all over the pitch.
South Africa 0-8 New Zealand
32 mins: New Zealand go hunting for a second! Another flowing move is worked to Caleb Clarke and his lightening feet seem destined for the line before the towering figure of Eben Etzebeth hauls him back.
New Zealand stay patient...
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