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Freedom Cup
Dan Carter of the All Blacks races past John Smit (L) and Pierre Spies during the 2010 Tri-Nations match between the South African Springboks and the New Zealand All Blacks at the FNB Stadium on August 21, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
(August 20, 2010 -All Photos by David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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Late show seals title for All Blacks
Two tries in the final three minutes saw New Zealand secure the 2010 Tri-Nations title in dramatic fashion with a 29-22 win in Johannesburg.
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Man of the match: Many of the forwards put their hand up for this accolade but it has to go to a player on the losing side. Schalk Burger was immense in the tackle and combined well with Juan Smith and Pierre Spies at times. Hats off also to Richie McCaw and Ma'a Nonu.
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22-17 up going in the game's dying embers, the Springboks had the wind knocked out of them when their visitors came good thanks to scores from captain Richie McCaw and Israel Dagg.
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Richie McCaw of the All Blacks moves away from Schalk Burger
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ABs win last-minute thriller
Two tries in the final two minutes saw the All Blacks capture their 10th Tri Nations title with a thrilling 29-22 win over South Africa in Soweto this morning.
All Blacks substitute Israel Dagg crossed the line in the 80th minute to give New Zealand a famous win, after a Richie McCaw try tied the match up only a minute earlier.
South Africa were denied the chance to celebrate John Smit's 100th test in style by handing the All Blacks their first loss of the season in front of 94,000 fans at FNB Stadium after leading for most of the match.
To make matters worse the Springboks hooker missed a vital tackle in the final play that saw Ma'a Nonu break up the middle of the field from New Zealand's own half and gift Dagg with the match winning runaway try.
The All Blacks' 14th straight win looked unlikely after Dan Carter missed a penalty from a handy position while trailing 22-17 with eight minutes remaining but McCaw tied the match up a few minutes later with a controversial try.
The All Blacks skipper dived into the right hand corner with three Springboks attempting to push him into touch and it looked like they succeeded when referee Nigel Owens referred to the television match official.
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South Africa led the match 16-14 at halftime despite New Zealand dominating possession for much of the first half.
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Ma'a Nonu of the All Blacks moves past Schalk Burger
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Late tries give All Blacks dramatic Test
It was a case of All Blacks stamina carrying the day after a final quarter of attack after attack. It was a nervous time and both first five-eighths, Dan Carter for New Zealand and Morne Steyn for South Africa, were guilty of making uncharacteristic mistakes, Carter dropping a catch and Steyn kicking too long.
But, ultimately, it was the All Blacks' desire to keep moving the ball that wore the outstanding South African defence down. They made several key breaks that went close to producing tries before finally getting the formula right.
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The Springboks were better served by Juan Smith in the loose, the first time he has played for them this year. He made the breakdown more competitive and that allowed No.8 Pierre Spies more influence than in the two earlier Tests while Schalk Burger was more prominent in the loose as well. Fullback Gio Aplon was a constant menace while new halfback Hougaard was an efficient servant who kept the pressure on.
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Ma'a Nonu of the All Blacks
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Henry: They don't get any bigger
The New Zealand performance against South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday will live long in the memory, according to Graham Henry.
Late tries from captain Richie McCaw and Israel Dagg saw the All Blacks turn a five-point deficit with two minutes to play into a 29-22 victory at the 90,000 seater FNB Stadium to clinch a tenth Tri-Nations crown.
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"They don't get any bigger than that - a huge Test match, played in front of that crowd in that stadium," said Henry after the historic encounter at the venue more famously known as Soccer City, where the football World Cup final was played.
"I'm sure it will be pretty significant for the people who were there today.
"I just felt so proud of what they've achieved. The character, backed by their guts and togetherness was superb.
"So I think it was a very special win by the All Blacks today, an outstanding result and something we will never forget as far as we're concerned."
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Brad Thorn of the All Blacks wins the lineout ball
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next test:
South Africa vs Australia
28 August
Pretoria
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