Scott Barrett of New Zealand is tackled by two Bok players in their Test on Saturday. Picture: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images
The Springboks beat the All Blacks 31-27 on Saturday in another epic clash at Ellis Park to put one hand on the Rugby Championship trophy.
The Boks scored late tries by Kwagga Smith and Grant Williams to edge ahead late in the game after the All Blacks led for most of the match, including at half-time 12-11
Going into this game the Boks and All Blacks had both won five times at the ground since 1992, but this win puts the Boks 6-5 ahead in clashes at Ellis Park between them.
The Boks’ other try came early from Bongi Mbonambi, while the All Blacks scored four tries through Caleb Clarke (two), Codie Taylor and Jordie Barrett.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu also contributed 16 points for the Boks from his boot.
The teams meet again in Cape Town next weekend.
Below is how The Citizen covered the contest.
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Bok boss Rassie Erasmus picked a team including several young players, such as Ruan Nortje at lock, Ben-Jason Dixon at flank, Feinberg-Mngomezulu at flyhalf and Aphelele Fassi at fullback. Eben Etzebeth and Malcolm Marx played off the bench.
The All Blacks, under new coach Scott Robertson, welcomed back lock and captain Scott Barrett as well as former captain Sam Cane.
South Africa: Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach, Jasper Wiese, Ben-Jason Dixon, Siya Kolisi (capt), Ruan Nortje, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche. Bench: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Kwagga Smith, Elrigh Louw, Grant Williams, Handre Pollard
New Zealand: Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Damian McKenzie, TJ Perenara, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Ethan Blackadder, Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett (capt), Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams. Bench: Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Sam Darry, Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, Mark Tele’a
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