South Africa v New Zealand LIVE: Result and reaction from Rugby Championship as Springboks win Freedom Cup
South Africa 18-12 New Zealand: Sifa Kolisi and Malcolm Marx scored to secure the win for the Springboks
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South Africa defeated New Zealand 18-12 in the Rugby Championship to increase their lead at the top of the table and make it four wins in a row against their old rivals.
Much like in the match in Johannesburg, New Zealand started as the smarter side, taking the points on offer and opening up a six point lead from the boot of Damian McKenzie. Handre Pollard cut that down to three with a penalty kick of his own but a third penalty for the All Blacks’ fly-half sent them into the break on top.
That only spurred the Springboks on though. They came out quickly from the restart, overpowering the New Zealand defence and sending captain Siya Kolisi over the line for the first try of the game. A penalty each made the score 13-12 and the game was set up for a tense finale.
However, a stupide shoulder barge from Tyrel Lomax saw him sin binned with 10 minutes to go and New Zealand, now down to 14 players, couldn’t keep Malcolm Marx at bay with the substitute scoring to secure the Freedom Cup for the hosts.
Relive the score updates and reaction from the Rugby Championship match below:
TRY! South Africa 18-12 New Zealand (Malcolm Marx, 74’)
74 mins: That challenge from Lomax has changed the game. From the lineout South Africa form a maul befor Malcolm Marx comes out the side and crosses the line.
The kick is missed so there’s still a chance for New Zealand with time ticking down.
South Africa 13-12 New Zealand
73 mins: Oh dear! Tyrel Lomax shoulders Cheslin Kolbe off the ball and he clatters into the ground taking out Ardie Savea as well. It’s a penalty to South Africa who decide to kick for touch.
They’re after another try with seven minutes or so on the clock.
South Africa 13-12 New Zealand
72 mins: 10 minutes to play in Cape Town. It was almost inevitable that the match would come down to the wire. Just like in Johannesburg.
Ofa Tu’ungafasi can’t roll away from a tackle in time and he gives away another penalty which Damian McKenzie decides to kick. He looks confident but hooks it too far to the left and misses!
South Africa still lead by one.
South Africa 13-12 New Zealand
67 mins: The game has fallen back into the rhythm of the first half. Play passing hands in the middle of the pitch. Breakdown turnover from South Africa, New Zealand not making much headway.
Lots of breaks in play at the minute. Both sides trying to recover a bit of energy for a final push.
South Africa 13-12 New Zealand
64 mins: Willie le Roux sticks out a hand and flicks the ball as New Zealand send it over to the right. It’s not deemed a legitimate attempt at an interception so the South African is shown a yellow card and has to sit out for 10 minutes.
New Zealand decide to kick from the resultant penalty but Damian McKenzie hits the post!
South Africa 13-12 New Zealand
61 mins: Beauden Barrett is on for New Zealand having replaced Will Jordan. He’ll bring a bit of style and flair to the last 20 minutes as the All Blacks look for a way to win this game.
South Africa 13-12 New Zealand (Penalty kick, Damian McKenzie)
58 mins: Here come New Zealand!
They’re never out of the game and sharp hands from Damian McKenzie sees them switch the play out to Sevu Reece who manages to stay in play and keep the ball alive.
The All Blacks pass the ball back towards the middle and win another penalty which McKenzie flicks over the sticks. Now it’s a one point game.
South Africa 13-9 New Zealand (Penalty kick, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu)
55 mins: A New Zealand offside gives away a penalty to South Africa. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been introduced to replace Handre Pollard and wastes no time deciding to kick.
He boots the ball between the posts and increases South Africa’s lead.
South Africa 10-9 New Zealand
52 mins: This might be tough going for New Zealand now. They put a lot into those last 10 minutes but still South Africa broke through.
Unless the All Blacks can put in a shift on the ball they’ll just become increasingly more tired and the Springboks will run over them.
TRY! South Africa 10-9 New Zealand (Siya Kolisi, 49’)
49 mins: New Zealand are on the back foot. They’re giving away too many penalties just metres from their own line. From the lineout, South Africa look for a maul before Siya Kolisi whips the ball out and flings it wide.
The Springboks take a couple of hits before passing it back to their captain who lunges over the line!
South Africa’s sustained pressure tells on New Zealand and they score the first try of the match!
Pollard boots over the conversion and South Africa take the lead.
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