Captain Richie McCaw scored a second half try to help the All Blacks maintain their five-year unbeaten record in New Zealand with a tense 14-10 victory over a combative Springboks side in the Rugby Championship on Saturday.
McCaw was the beneficiary of a pin-point cross-kick from Aaron Cruden that was hauled in by No 8 Kieran Read who fed his skipper who dived over in the corner.
McCaw’s 24th try in his 131st Test allowed New Zealand to overturn a 7-6 first-half deficit and add to their two wins and a draw in its previous Championship matches.
Cruden slotted two penalties for the home side while Beauden Barrett added another after he replaced Cruden late in the second half to give the home side 16 points at the top of the Rugby Championship table. South Africa are on 10.
The All Blacks remain unbeaten in 15 matches in the four-nation tournament since its inception in 2012 and now close on their third straight title.
Rookie South Africa flyhalf Handre Pollard repayed the faith shown in him by coach Heyneke Meyer by setting up Cornal Hendricks’ first-half try with a brilliant inside pass, converting and slotting in a long-range drop goal.
New Zealand had to hold out under immense pressure through the last five minutes as South Africa relentlessly pressed the All Blacks goalline. Tactical errors finally cost the Springboks who suffered their sixth straight loss to New Zealand.
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