JOHANNESBURG: South Africa produced a brilliant second-half display to earn a 29-24 Test victory over New Zealand in Johannesburg on Saturday, and a 2-1 lead in the four-match series.
Deadlocked 12-12 at half-time, the Springboks powered to a 12-point advantage in the second half before conceding a try after the full-time hooter.Wing Kurt-Lee Arendse, centre Jesse Kriel and hooker Malcolm Marx scored tries for the Springboks, who were also awarded a penalty try.
Fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu kicked two conversions from three attempts and also a penalty. Captain and No.8 Ardie Savea scored two tries for the All Blacks and wing Will Jordan and substitute hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho one each. Fly-half Ruben Love and full-back Damian McKenzie slotted one conversion each.
Flanker Siya Kolisi became the most successful Springboks captain with 55 Test victories, overtaking 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning hooker John Smit.“The All Blacks came hard at us in the first 25 minutes, their lungs were pumping. We did well not to concede more points,” said Kolisi. “Then, we fought back. The way we finished was a lot better than we did in the previous two Tests.”New Zealand loose forward Luke Jacobson said: “We started really well, had momentum, but the Springboks played their game in the second half. They got on top.”
