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It was two tries to nil as the All Blacks have survived a mighty scare from the Springboks to progress to the Rugby World Cup final by two points.
Jerome Kaino was able to get the first try of the game with some fleet footed play that gave the All Blacks the momentum.
However some good defence from the Springboks kept them in the game and their penalty goal oriented game had them leading at half time.
Kaino became a villian for the All Blacks momentarily as he was yellow carded before half time, but the Springboks couldn’t make the most of being a man up.
The All Blacks came out early before the second half and it worked well for them as Beauden Barrett was able to score in the corner, before the try Bryan Habana deliberately knocked the ball down and was sin-binned for his play.
The Springboks had chances late but they were unable to make the most of them.
It was a tight and physical affair as was highlighted by Fourie Du Preez egg shaped cheekbone following the completion of the game.
The All Blacks will now await the winner of Australia and Argentina who play early tomorrow morning.
Final score:
Springboks 18
All Blacks 20
New Zealand and South Africa are set to write another page in the script of their World Cup rivalry as they battle for a place in the 2015 Rugby World Cup final. Join us for live scores and commentary from 2:00am AEDT.
The All Blacks look absolutely unstoppable at the moment and have put their doubters from before the World Cup to bed. They tore the French to shreds in their semi-final with an outstanding 62-13 win, with Julian Savea stamping his authority on the game looking like a modern day Jonah Lomu.
On the flip side South Africa were made to earn their win against Wales and to put it simply if they play the way they did last week, they will lose this game.
In fact if this wasn’t a semi-final of the World Cup I simply wouldn’t give South Africa a chance. But as we saw with Australia and Scotland last weekend this World Cup isn’t as cut and dry as we may think it is.
If South Africa is to win they will have to put aside New Zealand’s outstanding recent record which consists of 47 wins in their last 52 Tests – a 90 per cent winning record. They also must be prepared to open up on the attacking side of play otherwise they won’t have the points in them to outscore the All Blacks.
If the game is close heading into the dying stages it could be the depth of both sides that makes the difference, and which replacements can come on and get the job done.
My key area to watch in this game will be the breakdown. The team that hunts in packs and can get to the breakdown will dominate this game. Duane Vermuelen was outstanding last week for the Springboks but he needs support, otherwise Richie McCaw, Keiran Read and company will make it extremely difficult for the South Africans to retain possession.
One area the Springboks can exploit is replacement players not named in their specialist position. Ben Franks has been named as a loosehead prop, but his preferred position is on the other side on the scrum, while loose forward Victor Vito has been named as the back-up lock.
Should the All Blacks lose Joe Moody and one of their locks early, the physical Bok pack will look to add pressure to the task of the replacement players.
Prediction
The All Blacks are in form and should win this comfortably.
All Blacks by 12
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