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New Zealand scored two tries in the final three minutes to snatch a 29-22 victory over South Africa at Soccer City Saturday and clinch the Tri-Nations title.
Captain and flanker Richie McCaw dived over in one corner and replacement back Israel Dagg in the other as the Springboks slumped to a fourth consecutive loss in the southern hemisphere championship after leading for 64 minutes.
It was also a memorable day for All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter, whose third penalty goal 29 minutes into the first half raised his Test tally to a world record 1113 points as he overtook veteran England pivot Jonny Wilkinson.
All South Africa had to show for a much improved performance after three heavy losses in New Zealand and Australia was a bonus point for finishing within seven points of the victors in the first Test staged by Soweto.
New Zealand have 23 points from a possible 25 after five matches, Australia four and defending champions South Africa a meagre one with two home matches against the Wallabies to come in the next fortnight.
Captain and hooker John Smit became only the second Springbok after Percy Montgomery to make 100 appearances and received a standing ovation from the sell-out 88,791 crowd as he ran on to the pitch well ahead of his team.
But the 32-year-old who made his Test debut against Canada 10 years ago cut a dejected, bloodied figure when it was all over with the heartbreaking loss severely diluting any personal satisfaction from the milestone.
“It was terribly disappointing as I thought we had done enough to win. I missed a tackle that led to one of the late tries and we were punished for too many silly mistakes.”
McCaw echoed relief: “We realised the Boks would be a different beast from the one that faced us last month. Our second-half pressure paid off but there is very little between the Tri-Nations teams and rugby can be a cruel game.”
Smit did not make an ideal start, being penalised for a crooked lineout throw after three minutes and was blown up again by Welsh referee Nigel Owens soon after for taking too long at another one.
Between the slips, Carter nudged the All Blacks ahead in clear, cool late winter weather with a penalty only for opposite number Morne Steyn to succeed from two attempts that put the Boks ahead with 14 minutes gone.
South Africa were displaying commitment and skill sorely lacking on a disastrous tour of Australasia while the All Blacks’ ball retention was excellent under fierce pressure.
Carter missed another shot a goal that came off the far upright before landing his second penalty to bring the teams level again, but equality remained for just three minutes before the Boks scored their sole try.
Steyn was the architect with a tap penalty and grinding pressure took the green and gold to the tryline where scrum-half Francois Hougaard passed for loose forward Schalk Burger to barge over and the try was converted.
Carter reduced the gap to four points on 29 minutes with his third, record-breaking penalty only for Steyn to land his fourth and the first-half scoring was completed by an unconverted try far out from prop Tony Woodcock.
Owens got caught up in the frenetic exchanges when Burger fell on the match official while trying to pull down scrum-half Jimmy Cowan and the dazed Welshman required medical attention before continuing.
Steyn was back to his goal kicking best and a couple of successful penalty kicks left the Springboks 22-14 ahead with 15 minutes to go before Carter kept his team in contention with a fourth penalty.
But the All Blacks pivot failed with another shot at goal six minutes from full-time as the visitors piled on the pressure seeking a fifth consecutive Tri-Nations win and third this season over the Boks.
A dramatic climax saw McCaw and Dagg touch down with Carter converting the second as the All Blacks completed a hat-trick over the Boks after far more comfortable victories in Auckland and Wellington last month.
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