Flyhalf Aaron Cruden kicked two late penalties as the All Blacks hung on to beat South Africa 21-11 in their Rugby Championship clash on Saturday.
Despite leading by 30-9 towards the end of the game, the Cheetah’s could not cope without flyhalf Johan Goosen and lost 33-36 to the Highlanders.
Second half tries from Tendai Mtawarira and Odwa Ndungane helped the Sharks turn around a deficit to book their place in the Currie Cup final.
The Lions ran in two late tries to draw their Currie Cup match 25 all with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Johan Goosen kicked 29 points to help the Free State Cheetahs get their Currie Cup campaign back on track with a 53-32 victory over the Sharks.