The Springboks, leading by 16 points in the second half, held on to win the second Test against the All Blacks in Cape Town on Saturday 33-26 and draw level at 1-1 in the four-match series.
Captain Siya Kolisi made his presence felt as he scored one of his side’s three first-half tries and put in a spectacular hit on the tourists’ skipper, Ardie Savea, to give the home crowd something extra to cheer about.
But once again it was the New Zealanders who finished the game in the ascendancy and again winning the try count at 4-3.
The real difference for South Africa was the lineouts, where Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager and Ruan Nortje stole or disrupted All Black ball at key moments.
And, of course, the deadly boot of Cheslin Kolbe who slotted four penalties — three of them in the second half — and three conversions for a personal tally of 18 points.
The Boks were also effective at the breakdown, forcing turnovers and stealing possession.
But the lineout was arguably the most critical part of play, and it was from the first one of the match, in the New Zealand half, that South Africa drew first blood.
They won the ball and then mauled deep into All Black territory, and from that attacking impetus veteran centre Jesse Kriel barged through in the second minute.
New Zealand spent much of the next 13 minutes on attack, eventually being rewarded when scrumhalf Cam Roigard went over after winger Will Jordan made the space down the right touchline, beating Damian de Allende and drawing Kolbe.
The field, as it often does, proved slippery and New Zealand players often lost their footing, killing their momentum. They also had a few passes going astray, similar to what they produced against the Lions on Tuesday.
Unlike last week, the Springboks were able to convert their forays into the All Black quarter into points, with De Allende scoring his team’s second try from another sustained attack set up by phases.
Even with the South African defence looking far more organised this week, the All Blacks still found gaps and punched holes in the line. Savea created the space and the run that ultimately led to fullback Damian McKenzie going over in the right corner.
Kolisi’s try shortly before halftime, along with Kolbe’s boot, helped to give the home side breathing space at 24-14.
Coach Rassie Erasmus switched his front row around shortly before kickoff. Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw, who did so much damage early on at Ellis Park, came on off the bench this time, but they didn’t enjoy the same level of dominance as they did a week earlier.
The All Blacks kept probing and were rewarded when left wing Leroy Carter went over after a storming run down the touchline, having picked up a well-timed, long hanging pass at full pace.
Jordan had a similar opportunity, but he was well marked by Ethan Hooker, who stood out in the aerial battle.
The series is perfectly poised for another humdinger at FNB Stadium next Saturday.
Scorers:
South Africa 33 (24)
Tries: Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Siya Kolisi.
Conversions: Cheslin Kolbe (3)
Penalties: Kolbe (4)
New Zealand 26 (14)
Tries: Cam Roigard, Damian McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Ardie Savea.
Conversions: Ruben Love (3)
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