The Springboks defeated the All Blacks 28-19 in tonight's Bundaberg Rum Tri-Nation's Test in Bloemfontein.
A pumped up All Blacks delivered a fiery haka before the kickoff, although the local crowd did their best to drown them out.
The All Blacks line out woes from Eden Park continued with hooker Andrew Hore overthrowing his first throw in.
But New Zealand were gifted with three points a moment later when referee Alain Rolland penalized Springbok centre Jean de Villiers for a late tackle on All Blacks winger Sitiveni Sivivatu after a kick.
Flyhalf Stephen Donald landed the penalty.
But Bok fullback Frans Steyn evened things up on 7 minutes with a monster penalty on his side of the halfway line, a few metres in from touch.
A high tackle on South African hooker Bismarck du Plessis by All Blacks No.8 Rodney So’oialo gave Ruan Pienaar a chance to put the home team in front on ten minutes but the flyhalf hit the left upright from out wide on the right.
He hit the other upright a minute later with another attempt from in front.
Donald then had a chance to put the All Blacks in front but was short with his attempt from 40 metres out.
The All Blacks were giving away repeated penalties at the breakdown, resulting in a general warning from Rolland, and from his next opportunity Pienaar goaled from a more difficult position than the previous two. Boks ahead 6-3 after 18 minutes.
New Zealand then gave away consecutive free kicks for incorrect feeds against scrumhalf Brendon Leonard. The Boks piled on the pressure but the All Blacks scrambled in defence well.
After four minutes in the All Blacks 22 the New Zealand defense finally broke.
First No.8 Pierre Spies went close then the ball came wide to inside centre Jean de Villiers. He was brought down in a superb bootlace tackle by Conrad Smith but Pienaar was backing up to take De Villiers pop pass and loop around to score in the corner.
Pienaar missed the conversion but after 26 minutes South Africa were ahead 11-3.
The Sharks flyhalf missed with a drop goal from 30 metres out two minutes late as the Boks continued to heap on the pressure.
Ma’a Nonu was penalized for offside shortly after and Frans Steyn landed a second penalty from close range, with Pienaar down receiving treatment, to put the Boks out 14-3 after 33 minutes.
The All Blacks were pinged for holding on at the ruck again just before halftime, after a good intercept from De Villiers, but Pienaar missed again with the penalty for a poor record of just one successful kick from six attempts.
New Zealand then launch a spirited attack on the whistle but the Boks held on to go to halftime at 14-3.
Pienaar succumbed to an ankle injury during the interval, bringing on superboot Morne Steyn who landed a penalty in the first minute from 40 metres to put the Boks away at 17-3.
The All Blacks also made a change at half time due to injury with Owen Franks coming on at prop for Neemia Tialata.
New Zealand continued to keep the ball in hand and attack but South Africa were still winning the collisions.
Morne Steyn then missed Smith badly to let the All Blacks centre in for an easy try that brought the All Blacks back into the match, as Smith crashed over through the tackle of Francois Steyn. Donald converted to cut South Africa’s lead to 17-10 after 48 minutes.
Bakkies Botha then gave up a penalty at a ruck and Donald landed a superb touchline attempt to bring the All Blacks to 17-13.
The Boks seemed determined to run the ball at the All Blacks which played into the more mobile New Zealander’s hands.
Just as they did against the Wallabies the All Blacks seemed to grow in stature as the game wore on with captain Richie McCaw again outstanding.
But a sustained attack by South Africa led to another penalty which Morne Steyn converted to put them back out to a 20-13 lead with 22 minutes to go.
The All Blacks then launched a ferocious assault, keeping the ball through multiple phases.
Eventually New Zealand won a penalty which Donald converted to put the resurgent All Blacks back to within a try at 20-16.
Just as it seemed the Boks would crack, a dropped pass by reserve lock Jason Eaton saw Spies toe the loose ball ahead.
The All Blacks scrambled but a loose pass from reserve scrumhalf Piri Weepu fell to Bok flanker Juan Smith who found outside centre Jaque Fourie who sprinted 40 metres down the right touchline to score. Morne Steyn missed the conversion but the Boks were ahead by nine points 25 – 16 with seven minutes remaining.
Donald gave the All Blacks a chance with a penalty a minute later to bring them back within a converted try but Morne Steyn landed another long range penalty a few minutes later to restore the Boks nine point lead at 28-19 and deny the All Blacks what could be a crucial bonus point.
Bundaberg Rum Tri-Nations
Full Time
Springboks 28 (Ruan Pienaar, Jaque Fourie tries; Pienaar penalty, Frans Steyn 2 penalties, Morne Steyn 3 penalties) defeatedAll Blacks 19 (Conrad Smith try; Stephen Donald conversion, 4 penalties) in Bloemfontein.
