The Blitzboks started brightly forcing New Zealand into errors with
some tenacious defending and then scoring a converted try through
captain Phillip Snyman after excellent work by Cheslin Kolbe and Juan de
Jongh.
Rosco Speckman extended the lead with brilliant stepping
in close when South Africa were awarded a 5 metre scrum after yet more
excellent defence had forced New Zealand into an error.
New
Zealand were finally on the scoreboard with a minute to go in the half,
scoring a converted try out wide through Akira Ioane who brushed off a
desperate tackle from Chris Dry with ease.
Ioane then showed his
prowess in defence, saving what looked like a certain try by just
managing to force Speckman into touch on the stroke of half-time.
The Blitzboks led 14-7 at the break.
Seabelo
Senatla extended the Blitzbok lead early in the second half after a
mistake by Sonny Bill Williams allowed Hougaard to poach the ball and
find the speedster on his left.
The turning point in the match however came when Speckman received a yellow card for a professional foul.
New
Zealand made the extra man count with Rieko Ioane getting over in the
corner for an unconverted try but the Blitzboks still led 21-12 with two
minutes to play.
Another score by Rieko Ioane bought New Zealand
to within two points with under a minute to play but crucially, Speckman
had returned to the field.
New Zealand were not to be denied and
with time up on the clock they rallied for one final effort, scoring
through Joe Webber in the left hand corner to send their supporters at
the Westpac Stadium into ecstasy.
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