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Highlights - All Blacks vs Springboks in Wellington

By Peter Hanson

South Africa held off a late onslaught to end their nine-year wait for a win over the All Blacks in New Zealand with a sensational 36-34 Rugby Championship victory in Wellington.

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In an incredible back-and-forth Test match, a mixture of stunning Springboks play and uncharacteristic errors from the hosts earned South Africa a first ever win at Westpac Stadium.

It took an almighty show of resolve from Rassie Eramus’ side, who saw a 14-point second-half advantage chipped away with the situation not helped by a late yellow card for Willie le Roux.

But, despite a relentless spell of pressure, the All Blacks, who would have retained the title with a bonus-point victory, could not find the final score, with Beauden Barrett left to reflect on a rare off day in which he missed four conversions – including two relatively simple efforts that hit the post in the second half.

South Africa, for whom Aphiwe Dyantyi scored two of five tries, can now look back on a famous win – their first over the All Blacks since 2014 – that saw them rack up their highest points tally in New Zealand.

The hosts were typically fast out of the blocks and a superb sleight of hand from Beauden Barrett set brother Jordie over the line, before the excellent Ben Smith led another breakaway to play in namesake Aaron.

South Africa – on the back consecutive defeats to Argentina and Australia – recovered from that early onslaught, though, and Le Roux set up Dyantyi to break in from the left and touch down under the posts.

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A poor quickly taken line-out from Jordie Barrett then popped up kindly for Le Roux to add an easy try, and Malcolm Marx crashed over following a big drive.

Rieko Ioane crossed for the All Blacks’ third try after a 20-phase move, but a second missed conversion coupled with a Handre Pollard penalty had South Africa up by seven at the break.

Half-time replacement Cheslin Kolbe stretched the lead after a fine interception of Anton Lienert-Brown’s pass and, although Ioane scrambled over in the left corner, Dyantyi crossed for his brace after neat work from Elton Jantjies and Warren Whiteley.

A huge rolling drive saw Codie Taylor reduce the gap, Beauden Barrett inexplicably missing the conversion, before Le Roux was sin-binned for cynical offside with fewer than 15 minutes to play.

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An inevitable barrage followed and Ardie Savea scored in similar fashion to Taylor, but Barrett once again failed with a simple-looking kick that rebounded off the post.

Still New Zealand came, and South Africa held up their opponents on the line before Damian McKenzie knocked on at the last to end a breathless encounter and bring tears of joy to some of the visiting contingent.

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Simon 4 hours ago
Fin Smith explains the Leinster 'chaos' that caught out Northampton

In the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.

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