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.
MarkR
Guest
MR - agree withe the gap comment. It used to be great when the teams could eyeball each other, no dust ups ever happened so I'm not sure why it's being performed so far back from the 1/2 way.
MR
Guest
The haka is a challenge and it was responded to in the appropriate way by the SA fans (given it is a challenge it is up to the opposing side and fans how to respond to the haka not ABs or AB fans). You dont see Fiji Samoa and Tonga getting precious about their version of the Haka so I am not sure why NZ has become so PC - the biggest problem with the Haka these days is the enforced gap between the ABs and the opposing side which means that impact of the Haka and its response has been diluted
Cattledog
Roar Guru
No, but if he did it every game, then people will start to take alternative action. You see a flicker of life in the horse did you Reggie?
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Reggie, that horse ain't gonna get up, give it up mate!
Reggie
Guest
So you guys would agree that the ALL BLACKS should have taken the field when the bok captain ran on for his 100th cap? Now his 1ooth cap wasn't an anthem, but everyone, including the ALLBLACK captain, team and supporters applaud JOhn Smith and respected that moment. Do you guys say it would've been fine if everyone disrespected his moment by booing? If not, then well, you have to think again about your comments!
MarkR
Guest
So the Bok supporters made so much noise that the onfield mikes AND the Bok players couldn't hear the haka - now THAT is a response, well done ! Reggie, as I said we'll have to disagree, how teams respond to a challenge is up to them, & if it's their home ground then I'd expect their supporters to get behind them.
MarkR
Guest
Kelpie (sorry couldn't resist)- funny thing is I don't see it as an advantage anymore, you've got a bunch of guys getting all hyped & yelling at the oppositon who are quietly getting ready to play hard rugby when the ball gets kicked. All the top nations are used to the haka so I think the only person getting intimidated would be the cameraman, while the Abs are left with a strong case of white line fever which is not conducive to the game these days.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Reggie, I think your sentiments are ill founded here. I love the Haka and I respect the challenge it portrays. However, to think opposition fans are going to stand idley by and not respond to it in kind, then ya dreamin... It ISN'T an anthem. It's a challenge that not many other teams have. Oppositions (including their supporters) will continue to go all out to negate whatever advantage the ABs gain from having this challenge.
Reggie
Guest
Mark - Surely the Haka is not an anthem, but you'll have to agree that in the context of rugby, the history of New Zealand and world rugby, the Haka should get the respect it deserves!? The bok players on the field also said they couldn't really hear the Haka because of the noise the bok supporters was making. I believe the SA TV audio is very good and if i may recall, there were several microphoned on the field. I have to give the bok supporters their due, they can make a noise, but was that really necessary?
MarkR
Guest
Reggie, I'm afraid we'll have to disagree. I saw the Bok supporters responding to a challenge to their team & thought it was great, I coudn't even hear the haka - but that could've been the SA TV coverage we got ! It's not the same as an anthem as both teams have an anthem & they're not a challenge.
Reggie
Guest
Mark- So did i, but that's acceptable cause they took the challenge. My problem is with the spectators not respecting the Haka, it is almost like helling and singing during a teams anthem and i dont think anyone would give the okay for that. During the Wales mellenium game against the BLACKS, the BLACKS respected the centiment of not doing the HAKA on the field, but as a team in their locker room. Shouldn't any other team show respect for an anthem or HAKA in this case?
MarkR
Guest
Reggie - thumbs up to the Bok supporters for responding to a CHALLENGE with a great response, I even saw some of the Boks smiling at the ABs during the haka. BTW - my all time favourite response to the haka: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fg4FyhZ-Kg
Reggie Jones
Guest
On Saturday, I was overjoyed by the ALL BLACKS thumping the boks in their own back yard. In the 65th minute, I told my bok-friends to watch out for that last minute winning try by the BLACKS. And so the BLACKS did it again. However, I am disgusted by the bok supporters disrespect for the ALL BLACK HAKA. They started screaming like a bunch of out of shorts, unfit, clueless rugby fans. Thumbs up for the Mighty ALL BLACKS! Thumbs down for the disrespectful bok fans, you were deserved of the tears you were shedding! Kia Kaha! Reggie Jones
pothale
Guest
It ain't rocket science, OJ. The technology is there already and is fairly basic stuff in TV terms. I can't figure how they wouldn't use it. If you want to line up two different angles at the same time point, it's the fastest way to do it, rather than trying to do it by eye alone. Anyways....
Mungehead
Guest
It's a tradition, there must always be at least one supporter who blames the ref after a loss.
Mungehead
Guest
Oh I doubt it too, I just wondered how much leeway TMOs officially have when making their decisions.
Ben S
Roar Guru
That response isn't what rugby is about, Loftus. Totally unnecessary.
Rusty
Roar Guru
Congratulations to the All Blacks and all their supporters for the winning the 2010 Tri Nations in decisive fashion. Thought that was the best game of test rugby I have seen this season - brutal, uncompromising and of high standard. As for my team the Boks - much much better, unfortunately a few small errors creeping in at the end to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The long punt by Steyn, CJs obstruction, Habana leaving the line and the final turnover but then, this game as was deserved was a game of the inches and these proved to be the final difference in those last 4 min. Very pleased with Hougaard's starting debut and how good is Juan Smith? Overall I thought the boys played very well as individuals and there a few nice touches here and there but we still seem to be lacking some nous in the backline to crack open defenses.
James
Guest
Look how much of a difference Juan Smith and Hougaard make, now add Brussouw and FDP and that would make things interesting. Personally I don't think there is a lot between these 2 teams on paper, I would love to see how the Boks would do with Henry and co as coaches.
jeremy
Guest
He's injured, will miss 2 months of rugby for surgery on his ankle. It's apparently been affecting his mobility quite a lot. Probably a good thing that he's out for a couple of months to give Cruden some decent gametime. We need a ruthless #2 for Carter who's nearly as good as him to keep him at the top.