| New Zealand: (13) 19 |
| Try: Jordan Cons: Barrett Pens: Barrett 4 |
| South Africa: (11) 17 |
| Try: Nkosi Pens: Pollard 4 |
Jordie Barrett kicked a winning penalty two minutes from time as New Zealand beat South Africa 19-17 in Queensland to clinch the Rugby Championship.
In the 100th Test between the teams, New Zealand’s Will Jordan and South Africa’s Sbu Nkosi each scored an early try before the kickers took over.
Barrett and Springboks fly-half Handre Pollard scored four penalties each as both sides traded the lead.
Australia beat Argentina 27-8 in the other match.
After Barrett’s late kick sealed New Zealand’s win, their coach Ian Foster said: “The performance was not what we wanted.
“We were forced into a lot of errors because of the pressure [but] we showed a determination to keep fighting and got there in the end.
“It’s really significant for us. The 100th, the history between us, they are a team we respect greatly. Hats off to Jordie for that last kick.”
New Zealand remain undefeated in 2021 while the Springboks have now lost three matches in row after back-to-back defeats by Australia.
The win meant New Zealand secured the Championship with one round left to play.
Jordan’s try after three minutes had given New Zealand the lead before Nkosi went over for the Springboks – and two Pollard penalties gave them an 11-7 lead.
But two replies from Barrett put New Zealand into a 13-11 lead at half-time.
Pollard and Barrett continued their duel into the second half – the lead changing hands six times – before Barrett’s final, decisive kick.
“It was tough, it was an awesome contest and it was a fair contest,” said Springbok captain Siya Kolisi.
Line-ups
New Zealand: J Barrett, Jordan, R Ioane, Havili, Bridge, B Barrett, Perenara; Moody, Taylor, Laulala, Retallick, S Barrett, A Ioane, Blackadder, Savea.
Replacements: Taukei’aho, Tu’inukuafe, Tu’ungafasi, Tuipulotu, Papalii, Weber, McKenzie, Tupaea.
South Africa: Le Roux, Nkosi, Am, De Allende, Mapimpi, Pollard, De Klerk; Nyakane, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, De Jager, Kolisi, Smith, Vermeulen.
Replacements: Marx, Kitshoff, Koch, Mostert, Van Staden, H Jantjies, E Jantjies, Steyn.
Australia dominate winless Argentina
| Australia: (17) 27 |
| Tries: Hodge, Kerevi, Kellaway Cons: Cooper 2, O’Connor Pens: Cooper, O’Connor |
| Argentina: (3) 8 |
| Try: Montoya Pens: Boffelli |
Australia made it three wins in a row for the first time in four years with victory over Argentina, also in Queensland.
Tries from Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi and Andrew Kellaway helped the Wallabies move above South Africa in the Rugby Championship table with a game left to play.
Julian Montoya scored Argentina’s only try of the game.
The defeat leaves them without a win in five Rugby Championship matches losing twice to both South Africa and New Zealand before Saturday’s match.
Line-ups
Australia: Hodge, Kellaway, Ikitau, Kerevi, Koroibete, Cooper, White; Slipper, Fainga’a, Tupou, Rodda, Philip, Leota, Hooper, Valetini.
Replacements: Kaitu’u, Bell, Robertson, Swain, Samu, McDermott, O’Connor, Petaia.
Argentina: Mallia, Cordero, Cinti, Chocobares, Boffelli, Carreras, Bertranou; Gigena, Montoya, Medrano, Alemannon, Lavanini, Gonzalez, Kremer, Matera.
Replacements: Socino, Martinez, Pieretto, Petti, Oviedo, Garcia, Miotti, Carreras.
