New Zealand secured the Rugby Championship
with a pulsating 38-27 win over South Africa at
Ellis Park.
After Ben Smith's try put the All Blacks ahead, two
Bryan Habana scores gave the Springboks hope only for
two tries from Liam Messam to give the visitors a half-
time lead.
Tries from Willie le Roux and Jean de Villiers put South
Africa in front.
But scores from Beauden Barrett and Kieran Read
earned a sixth win from six games for the All Blacks.
South Africa went into the game needing a bonus point
victory by more than seven points to claim the trophy.
But Kiwi coach Steve Hansen's team never looked
interested in winning the title with damage limitation,
producing a stylish display to win the tournament for
the eighth time in 11 years, including its previous
incarnation as the Tri-Nations before Argentina joined
last year.
South Africa had to be content with second place in the
group, while Australia secured third spot after a
thumping 54-17 victory of fourth-placed Argentina.
Barrett's try - New Zealand's fourth - guaranteed a
bonus point and confirmed the trophy with 20 minutes
left.
"We had the belief to hit back when the momentum
was against us," said New Zealand skipper Richie
McCaw.
"As an All Black I relish these occasions and winning at
this great stadium makes me so proud. We gave
everything out there this evening."
Springboks captain Jean de Villiers said: "To win rugby
matches you have to attack and defend and our
defence was not up to scratch in this match.
"Let us give credit to New Zealand - they deserved to
win the match and the Championship after a great
advertisement for rugby."
Morne Steyn kicked an early penalty but the All Blacks
moved ahead when a fine offload from Read was
followed by Smith beating two defenders to score.
But South Africa responded when Duane Vermeulen
made space with a surging run and sent Habana over in
the 18th minute.
Two minutes later a fine one-handed pass from
Francois Louw put Habana into space and the winger
chipped over Smith and gathered before touching
down in the corner.
Habana limped off with what appeared to be a
hamstring injury two minutes later and the hosts failed
to build on their 15-7 advantage.
Heavy pressure from New Zealand resulted in Messam,
assisted by Brodie Retallick, bundling over from about a
yard.
And when South Africa attempted to run the ball out in
first-half added time, Read turned the ball over and a
slick passing move to the left ended with Messam
stepping in to score his second try.
Six minutes after the interval Messam was sent to the
sin bin and within seconds the hosts took a penalty
quickly and fed the ball right for Le Roux to cross, with
Steyn's conversion making it 22-21.
With 14 men, Ma'a Nonu denied a decisive try and
after Barrett's penalty restored New Zealand's
advantage, De Villiers barged through three tackles to
score.
The game swung again within two minutes when
Barrett broke through to score a fourth try and end
South Africa's chances of winning the trophy.
New Zealand's Ben Franks was shown a yellow card
but, even with a man down, the outstanding Read was
sent over in the corner by Julian Savea.
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