South Africa vs New Zealand player ratings: Dan Carter stars as Jerome Kaino and Beauden Barrett tries seal RWC final berth
Man-for-man marking from the first Rugby World Cup semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa
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Your support makes all the difference.New Zealand will have the chance to defend their world champion status after defeating South Africa 20-18 in a tight and nervy affair at Twickenham, with victory booking the All Blacks a place in next weekend's Rugby World Cup final.
South Africa made a quick start and took the lead early through a Handre Pollard penalty, but the response from the All Blacks was emphatic. They attacked the right edge and when Richie McCaw delivered a high pass to Jerome Kaino, the flanker juggled the ball before taking it and going over int he corner. Dan Carter added the touchline conversion at the second attempt after Bryan Habana prematurely charged downt he fly-half, but Pollard added his second penalty minutes later to narrow the gap.
The Springboks took the lead when Pollard landed his third and his fourth stretched the gap slightly, although the 12-7 half-time lead was soon whittled down as Carter landed a neatly taken drop-goal soon after the break.
The All Blacks hit a second and decisive blow when Habana was off the field. The wing pushed his opposite man, Nehe Milner-Skudder, that caused the All Black to leave the field injured and concede a penalty, and he earned himself a yellow card soon after for slapping the ball out of Aaron Smith’s hands when the All Blacks smelt blood.
Beauden Barrett came on for Milner-Skudder, and within three minutes crossed in the left corner to put New Zealand ahead, Carter converting to make it 17-12 – not before Garces gave Habana his marching orders.
Pollard hit back with a fifth penalty but he would leave the field injured and despite his replacement, Pat Lambie, trading penalties with Carter, the South Africans ran out of ideas and out of time to send New Zealand through to a fourth Rugby World Cup final.
So how did the player perform? Click on the gallery below to see our ratings.
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