Savea’s 100th Test Heroics Seal All Blacks’ Eden Park Triumph

Flanker Ardie Savea has pulled off many crucial turnovers, but his effort after 78 minutes in his 100th Test was vital to New Zealand's 24-17 win over South Africa in a pulsating Lipovital-D Rugby Championship Test in Auckland.

The victory ensured New Zealand's unbeaten run was extended to 51 games while lifting the All Blacks further ahead on the World Rugby rankings, while South Africa slipped to third.

While the finish had the All Blacks under intense pressure, so typical of contests between the two great nations, it was New Zealand's superior attacking finesse earlier that set up their winning advantage.

It wasn't the perfect performance, but it was gutsy and just what was needed after their loss in their previous Test against Argentina.

The rugby relationship between the countries was evident in the intensity and vigour exhibited, but the superior All Blacks' defence and attacking continuity made the difference.

South Africa didn't concede without a last-ditch response and got within seven points when replacement halfback Cobus Reinach crossed after a penalty advantage.

Scoring three tries to two, the All Blacks earlier forced a string of mistakes from the Springboks, who could reflect on several lost opportunities, and they finished the game with 14 men after replacement No8 Kwagga Smith had been sin-binned.

South Africa got themselves into attacking positions in the All Blacks' 22m area, but each time, their mistakes denied them the chance to build. Dropped passes occurred during the rain that fell just after the start, but on other occasions, halfback Grant Williams dropped the ball cold from the top of a lineout, hooker Malcolm Marx conceded a free-kick when miscommunication occurred with his jumpers and lock Eben Etzebeth was penalised for an illegal tackle that upended replacement fullback Damian McKenzie.

Their lineout was also under pressure as the All Blacks stole three first-half takes. The trend continued into the second half, with obstruction denying South Africa yet another attacking chance. At the start of the final quarter, a forward pass was thrown 15m out from the All Blacks' line. 

But this time, the All Blacks were pushed off the ball, and Smith took the ball to the line, and in the resulting play, hooker Malcolm Marx scored.

However, South African obstruction from the restart gave the All Blacks a penalty, which was kicked to the corner, where, from the lineout play, Smith was sin-binned. From the subsequent lineout, the All Blacks pack went on the assault at the line. But it was only when the ball was released to the backs that replacement second five-eighths Quinn Tupaea got over for the 65th-minute try.

The All Blacks also made handling mistakes, and struggled to deal with the high ball, conceding knock-ons and turnovers resulting from failures to control the bouncing ball.

But they looked more dangerous in their movement of the ball, and took their chances when they arose.

The All Blacks made a sensational start, scoring after 90 seconds. South Africa tried to move the ball at speed from their first touches, but they dropped the ball. Centre Billy Proctor kicked deep into South Africa's 22m. Chasing pressure from fullback Will Jordan resulted in a scrambled kick to touch.

The All Blacks played a variation at the lineout with Ardie Savea at halfback, and halfback Finlay Christie standing off. He passed on to first five-eighths Beauden Barrett, who lobbed a kick to right wing Emoni Narawa. Diving to secure the ball, he went through the legs of his defender, got back to his feet, sold a dummy and scored.

His delight proved short-lived. Chasing and securing a high kick, he suffered a rib injury and was replaced by McKenzie, with Jordan moving to the wing.

South Africa looked for midfield breakthroughs and employed their famous midfield 'lineout', but were penalised by referee Karl Dickson when the All Blacks secured the ball due to no maul having been formed.

Soon after, a South African kick through was fielded by Beauden Barrett, who lobbed an immaculate left-foot kick into the 22m to secure a 50-22. From the lineout, a long throw found No8 Wallace Sititi, who was at halfback. He ran into space, flicked the ball inside to Jordan, who had come off his wing, and broke the defence to score.

The two sides do battle again next Saturday in Wellington.

Scorers: New Zealand 24 (Emoni Narawa, Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea tries; Jordie Barrett con; Damian McKenzie 2 con, pen ) South Africa 17 (Malclom Marx, Cobus Reinach tries; Handre Pollard pen: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 2 con). HT: 14-3