South Africa v New Zealand LIVE: Result and reaction Rugby Championship as Springboks mount late comeback
South Africa 31-27 New Zealand: Two late tries from the Springboks ensured they defeated the All Blacks in Johannesburg
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South Africa edged past New Zealand in a dramatic encounter in the third round of the Rugby Championship to cement their place at the top of the tournament table.
In a tight first half, tries from Codie Taylor, Caleb Clarke and Bongi Mbonambi were the highlights as both sides looked to gain an advantage after a yellow card to Aphelele Fassi.
The scores were locked at 11-12 to the visitors at half-time, and the second half started in perfect fashion for the All Blacks as Jordie Barrett intercepted a loose pass and raced home for five points.
From there it looked like the All Blacks were set to dominate, especially after Caleb Clarke crossed again, but New Zealand couldn’t capitalise when it mattered.
And soon after they paid the price, with Ofa Tu’ungafasi getting a late yellow card to spark an impressive Springboks turnaround.
Kwagga Smith crossed the line soon after to give South Africa life, and from there it was one-way traffic as Grant Williams completed the comeback in the 74th minute.
It could have been a vital win for the All Blacks as they looked to close the gap on the Springboks at the top of the tournament table, but instead South Africa end the day with a lead that looks difficult to relinquish – eight points over their nearest challengers, New Zealand.
Relive the action from Ellis Park Stadium as South Africa defeat New Zealand:
FULL-TIME! South Africa 31-27 New Zealand
The ball is kicked out and South Africa take the win! 31-27 to the home side!
What a game! The Springboks looked out of it but the yellow card was vital, as was the All Blacks’ inability to convert when it mattered most just before that sin bin.
South Africa 31-27 New Zealand
79 mins
South Africa kick deep but the All Blacks know they have to carry. A knock-on is called against the Springboks, but Feinberg-Mngomezulu manages to regain possession from the cross-kick!
All South Africa have to do now is wind down the clock!
South Africa 31-27 New Zealand
77 mins
Etzebeth takes it from Darry in the tackle and the Springboks have a penalty from the restart, but Feinberg-Mngomezulu inexplicably drags it wide just 20 seconds before Tu’ungafasi returns...
South Africa 31-27 New Zealand
74 mins
TRY!
South Africa lead!
They have the penalty and a superb kick from Feinberg-Mngomezulu sets up the lineout opportunity on the 5m line. The Springboks win it and set up a maul, with the forwards picking and going as they did last time before Grant Williams wriggles away to cross the line!
The fly-half sends the conversion over for another two.
South Africa 24-27 New Zealand
72 mins
Both sides exchange kicks and it ends with Jordie Barrett collecting, beating a challenge and offloading. It starts again straight away though, with Beauden Barrett kicking away for the lineout near the New Zealand 10-metre line.
South Africa 24-27 New Zealand
69 mins
TRY!
For the All Blacks, Ratima has come on for Perenara. They’re under pressure here, and it’s a sin bin for Ofa Tu’ungafasi! He collapsed the maul.
South Africa collect their lineout and Marx picks from the maul. The forwards pick and go for a couple of phases, before Kwagga Smith crashes over under the posts!
Feinberg-Mngomezulu converts, and there’s three points in it!
South Africa 17-27 New Zealand
67 mins
Close! A great chance for South Africa, and it almost ended with five points.
The Springboks win possession in the ruck and they go through the hands in their own half, aware that they have the overlap. Fassi has Kolbe to one side but knows the pair of them are under pressure, so he kicks a grubber towards the line that narrowly avoids the grip of Kolbe.
It ends the All Blacks clearing, but the kick is charged down and then New Zealand are penalised for entering from the side, around 10 metres from their own line!
South Africa kick for touch.
South Africa 17-27 New Zealand
62 mins
The All Blacks collect the lineout and run it through the hands, and it ends with a South Africa lineout as Barrett kicks into the South Africa ‘22.
The home side win the lineout, but they concede a penalty for holding on.
Perenara is happy to go with the forwards but they lose it in the tackle, before Feinberg-Mngomezulu clears.
South Africa 17-27 New Zealand
60 mins
Consecutive soft wins for New Zealand, first from the lineout and then for a penalty at the ruck, which is followed by a good clearing kick from Barrett.
Siya Kolisi has to leave the field for an HIA too.
South Africa 17-27 New Zealand
55 mins
The All Blacks make a change as Tamaiti Williams comes off for Ofa Tu’ungafasi.
We have a South Africa scrum near the All Blacks’ ‘22 after a knock-on from Jordan. It goes through the forwards before Williams ships it through, though he was a little hasty at the ruck and it’s knocked on.
Below is the latest try from Clarke!
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