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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:
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South Africa 3-6 New Zealand (Penalty kick, Handre Pollard)
32 mins: Canan Moodie is tackled and New Zealand hand a penalty straight to South Africa after Ardie Savea is punished for an illegal jackal.
Handre Pollard converts the kick and the Springboks have their first points on the board.
Mike Jones7 September 2024 16:43
South Africa 0-6 New Zealand (Penalty kick, McKenzie)
29 mins: Oh hello! New Zealand win a penalty quite a way out from the try zone after the South Africans don’t roll away from the ruck quickly enough.
McKenzie decides to kick again and smokes it right down the middle! New Zealand double their advantage.
Mike Jones7 September 2024 16:39
South Africa 0-3 New Zealand
28 mins: Codie Taylor is back from his head check too and has re-entered the fray for the All Blacks. As expected this is a tight match already with both teams trading blows in the middle of the pitch trying to control the ball.
Damian McKenzie might have been smart to take the penalty kick earlier. Those are the only points on the board at the minute.
Mike Jones7 September 2024 16:37
South Africa 0-3 New Zealand
25 mins: Le Roux flings the ball out to the left but throws it over everyone’s heads and out for a New Zealand lineout. The All Blacks work a bit of free space on the right wing and almost break away but a forward pass halts their momentum.
Jasper Wiese is back on the pitch for the hosts with Sevu Reece coming back on shortly too.
Mike Jones7 September 2024 16:34
South Africa 0-3 New Zealand
22 mins: All these players a big men but then you have Eben Etzebeth who is montrously tall. If he gets time to build up some momentum it’ll be dangerous for the New Zealand defenders.
So far they’ve been handling him and Kolisi in the middle of the park well enough. South Africa us their quick hands to move the ball out to the left before pinging it back inside.
Ox Nche earns another couple of metres with a physical run before the hosts pick out Le Roux with a pass out of the ruck. He dinks a kick over the top and almost plays in Canan Moodie but the right-wing’s lunge for the ball just comes up short inside the try zone.
Mike Jones7 September 2024 16:30
South Africa 0-3 New Zealand
19 mins: Asafo Aumua has come on to replace Codie Taylor for New Zealand after Taylor landed awkwardly on his head and needs a check over.
South Africa play out from the ruck and ping the ball over to Cheslin Kolbe. He sprints into space, dummies one defender, skips past another then looks for the hand off before being brought down.
He manages to offload the ball but the receiving player fumbles it for a knock on.
Mike Jones7 September 2024 16:26
South Africa 0-3 New Zealand
17 mins: Sevu Reece and Willie le Roux both leap for an aerial ball. It’s clear that the South African will get there first so Reece attempts to pull out of the challenge. He clatters into Le Roux’s legs and earns himself a booking for not protecting the ball carrier.
New Zealand are down to 14 men now as well.
Mike Jones7 September 2024 16:22
South Africa 0-3 New Zealand (Penalty kick, McKenzie)
15 mins: Will Jordan has been alert and alive. He intercepts a cross kick and tries to get forward on the left wing. Siya Kolisi scrambles across to make things awkward for him but New Zealand win themselves a lineout and keep coming.
They work the ball inside the 15 before Jasper Wiese is punished for a poor tackle and gets sent to the sin bin!
South Africa are down a man but New Zealand decide to kick at goal to get the first points on the board. Damian McKenzie slots it over the bar for the three.
Mike Jones7 September 2024 16:19
South Africa 0-0 New Zealand
12 mins: South Africa mess up their next lineout after a strong kick bounces out of play off a New Zealand arm. Codie Taylor grabs onto the ball and drives the All Blacks forward.
They maintain possession and work the ball down the line. A switch of direction sees Taylor receive the ball on the left wing but he’s held up a few metres from the line.
South Africa hold firm and get the turnover right in front of their own sticks! That’s a great defensive set from the homse side.
Mike Jones7 September 2024 16:15
South Africa 0-0 New Zealand
9 mins: Damian McKenize tackles too high on a dropping Grant Williams meaning South Africa are awarded a penalty. They kick it into touch and launch back a lineout which goes uncontested.
These opening minutes have been quite aggresive with both teams wrestling for control of the ball and the game. Neither is on top yet.
New Zealand get a scrum.
Mike Jones7 September 2024 16:11
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