Captain Richie McCaw and wing Joe Rokocoko scored late tries to snatch a 26-21 win for New Zealand over South Africa in their Tri-Nations match in Durban on Saturday.
Flank McCaw crashed through a tired defence in the 69th minute, and New Zealand took the lead for the first time in the match with eight minutes left when Rokocoko finished off a move that began deep in the All Blacks’ half.
South Africa ruled the opening quarter by kicking much of their possession downfield and using their superior lineout to continue the attack.
But New Zealand’s defence held firm, and all the home side had to show for their early efforts was a pair of penalties by fullback Percy Montgomery and scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar, who slotted his from 53m.
The All Blacks gradually ground their way upfield, and flyhalf Daniel Carter was able to level the scores at 6-6 with three minutes left in the first half. He might have put his team ahead had he not missed two earlier efforts.
South Africa fought back in the final throes of the first half, and another downfield kick and successful lineout saw flank Schalk Burger driven over to score the first try seconds before the siren sounded for an 11-6 halftime lead.
Centre Aaron Mauger reeled in three points for New Zealand with a drop goal two minutes after halftime. But three minutes later he had a hand in South Africa’s second try when his pop pass settled in the hands of Springbok flyhalf Butch James, who hared away to score.
Carter endured his third miss before landing a penalty awarded at a loose scrum against replacement Pedrie Wannenburg, who was yellow carded by referee Allain Rolland barely a minute after he came on for number eight Bob Skinstad.
The Springboks stood firm while they were a man short and Montgomery put them 21-12 ahead with a penalty.
But the All Blacks threw everything into the attack, and with 11 minutes left McCaw broke through to score their first try after an offensive move that began deep in their own half.
Three minutes later Rokocoko sped away for the matchwinning try and Carter’s conversion gave the visitors their winning lead. – Reuters