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 0-0 New Zealand
7 mins: Penalty South Africa! New Zealand lose the scrum and Handre Polland gets the chance to boot downfield.
South Africa 0-0 New Zealand
5 mins: South Africa think they’ve survived the lineout and subsequent New Zealand pressure inside five metres - but the play is pulled back for a penalty.
New Zealand decide to scrum.
South Africa 0-0 New Zealand
4 mins: A dangerous New Zealand attack! A crossfield kick cuts through South Africa and finds the charging Ardie Savea - who takes off! He’s brought down four metres out but there will be a card for South Africa - Damian Willemse is shown a yellow card.
South Africa 0-0 New Zealand
2 mins: It takes a couple of attempts but New Zealand emerge with the ball... only for Will Jordan to send a pass horribly long and out for a Boks lineout.
South Africa 0-0 New Zealand
1 min: Mapimpi challenges Jordie Barrett for a high ball and it results in a early scrum for South Africa.
An early change for the Boks to flex the strength of their pack.
Kick-off! South Africa 0-0 New Zealand
Underway! Luke Pearce is the referee today.
Actually, before kick-off there was the fly-over of the Boeing jet, sweeping across the sky. Quite a sight.
South Africa vs New Zealand
Now, though, it’s New Zealand’s turn.
Their sense of invincibility may be shattered, but the Haka led by Aaron Smith remains stirring.
South Africa keep their distance.
South Africa vs New Zealand
Kolisi, eyes closed and chin up, belts out the South African national anthem along with the packed house in Johannesburg. Special atmosphere.
South Africa vs New Zealand
Sam Cane leads the All Blacks out onto the pitch with huge pressure on his shoulders. Eddie Jones is again in the stands taking in the action, and watches on as Frans Malherbe is the first Springbok out, before Siya Kolisi emerges alongside his men.
Time for the anthems.
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