Victor Matfield of South Africa and Sam Whitelock of the New Zealand All Blacks compete for the ball in a lineout during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Semi Final match between South Africa and New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium on October 24, 2015 in London, United Kingdom.
(Oct. 23, 2015 - Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
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Defending champions New Zealand booked their place in the Rugby World Cup Final thanks to a 20-18 win over South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.
In a nail-biting encounter, the two-time champions and tournament favourites outscored their fiercest rivals two tries to none to advance to their first RWC Final in the northern hemisphere. But it didn't come easily.
South Africa led 12-7 at the interval thanks to four penalties from the boot of Handré Pollard while Jerome Kaino scored the only try of the first half for New Zealand.
The All Blacks ruled both the territory and possession stats in the first 40 minutes but the Springboks held the edge in the physical arm wrestle, especially at the breakdown while also enjoying the upper hand at the rare scrums.
It was the classic clash of styles we had all expected as New Zealand constantly probed with ball in hand while the Boks turned defence into attack.
The Springbok lineout was under pressure however and four stolen lineouts over the course of the game robbed them of vital momentum.
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Duane Vermeulen of South Africa plays the ball from the scrum during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Semi Final match between South Africa and New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium on October 24, 2015 in London, United Kingdom.
(Oct. 23, 2015 - Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
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Fourie Du Preez of South Africa catches a high ball under pressure from Dan Carter of the New Zealand All Blacks during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Semi Final match between South Africa and New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium on October 24, 2015 in London, United Kingdom.
(Oct. 23, 2015 - Source: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe)
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Brodie Retallick of the New Zealand All Blacks is tackled during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Semi Final match between South Africa and New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium on October 24, 2015 in London, United Kingdom.
(Oct. 23, 2015 - Source: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Europe)
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Jerome Kaino of the New Zealand All Blacks wins the ball in the line out from Schalk Burger of South Africa during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Semi Final match between South Africa and New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium on October 24, 2015 in London, United Kingdom.
(Oct. 23, 2015 - Source: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe)
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Sonny Bill Williams of the New Zealand All Blacks is tackled by Francois Louw of South Africa during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Semi Final match between South Africa and New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium on October 24, 2015 in London, United Kingdom.
(Oct. 23, 2015 - Source: Phil Walter/Getty Images Europe)
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