Heroic defence saw South Africa snatch an unbelievable 36-34 win over near impregnable New Zealand in an enthralling Rugby Championship match at the Westpac Stadium, Wellington, on Saturday.
The All Blacks eventually outscored the Springboks 6-5 in the try count but ultimately the goalkicking prowess of flyhalf Handré Pollard made the difference as he nailed four conversions and a penalty in an 11-point matchwinning haul.
The Springboks showed mixed signs in the opening minutes after an overcooked kick-off was followed up by the steely defence as they looked to soak up early four-minute pressure spell.
However, clever variations on attack prised open the Bok defence and the All Blacks capitalised with two tries in the next 12 minutes of play, one of which was converted by flyhalf Beauden Barrett.
First fullback Jordie Barrett held on to an instinctive pop pass to streak through the opposition defence in the 5th minute and then scrumhalf Aaron Smith ran in for the second after the Boks were caught napping wide out after the All Blacks launched an attack from the front of a line-out (12-0).
The Springbok fightback was almost beyond belief after they responded to the early setbacks with a three-try surge and fPollard was on target with all three conversions to give the visitors a 21-12 lead.
Midway through the first half, the Boks produced an attack across the face of the All Blacks' 22m area and the slick handling ended with a try for winger Aphiwe Dyantyi.
Four minutes later, the All Blacks uncharacteristically made a hash of a quick line-out throw deep inside their own half and Bok fullback Willie le Roux was up in a flash to grab the bouncing ball and run in unchallenged.
In the 31st minute, the Boks produced another penetrative upfield surge which the All Blacks thwarted with a turn-over close to their tryline. A moment later the All Blacks were blown up for an infringement and the Boks opted for the line-out option rather than a kick at the posts.
The ploy paid handsome dividends as lock Franco Moster gathered cleanly to start a rolling maul which was rounded off by a Malcolm Marx try.
Three minutes ahead of the halftime break, the All Blacks struck back with a try by Rieko Ioane after the Bok defence sprung a yawning gap out wide. Barrett again failed with the conversion attempt and the Boks enjoyed a 7-point halftime lead at 24-17 after Pollard nailed a penalty moments before the halftime hooter sounded.
The Boks made a dream start to the second half when substitute winger Cheslin Kolbe scored his side's fourth try after an opportunist interception and Pollard was again on target with the conversion for a 31-17 lead.
This shock setback induced a fresh sense of urgency in the All Blacks ranks and over the next nine minutes of play they managed two tries, although they leaked one in between the two touchdowns.
First Ioane went over for his second try in the 51st minute and then hooker Codie Taylor crashed over on the hour mark.
The Boks sandwiched their try in between those two efforts with a five-pointer by Dyantyi who produced a sensational finish.
The All Blacks managed one conversion and this scoring burst saw the scoreboard moving from 31-17 to 36-29 for a slender 7-point Bok lead.
A raft of substitutions followed on both sides and this seemed to up the pace of the game overall with the All Blacks enjoying the upper hand.
They produced several pressure spells which called on brave defence and on at least two occasions the Boks scrambled well to avert further scores but in the process, Le Roux picked up a yellow card.
The All Blacks made the one-man advantage count when they rumbled through for an unconverted try after a maul from the back of a line-out through Ardie Savea (36-34).
The All Blacks pressure was immense in the closing stages and so nearly several times, they came within a whisker of snatching victory but twice they spilt the ball as the Boks weighed in with audacious defence to hang on for an unthinkable victory 36-34 victory.
Scorers: New Zealand 34 (17): Tries: Jordie Barrett, Aaron Smith, Rieko Ioane (2), Codie Taylor, Ardie Savea. Conversions: Beauden Barrett (2).
South Africa 36 (21): Tries: Aphiwe Dyantyi (2), Willie Le Roux, Malcolm Marx, Cheslin Kolbe. Conversions: Handré Pollard (4). Penalty: Pollard
New Zealand: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Karl Tu’inukuafe.
Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 Thomas Perenara, 22 Jack Goodhue, 23 Damian McKenzie.
South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Jesse Kriel, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Rudolph Snyman, 20 Francois Louw, 21 Ross Cronje, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Cheslin Kolbe.
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales). Assistant referees: Pascal Gaüzère (France), Nic Berry (Australia). TMO: Rowan Kitt (England) – African News Agency (ANA)
