Springboks fall to determined All Blacks

Despite a strong start, the Springboks fell 32-16 to a classy All Black performance in Soweto in front of 80,000 fans.

Kicking off the 5-pointers, veteran Bok winger Bryan Habana continued his try-scoring form and went over the line after receiving a dazzling pass from captain Jean de Villiers.

In the first quarter, the All Blacks looked uneasy and uncharacteristically kicked possession away, but did return to their traditional gameplan as Hosea Gear injected some pace through a gap, and offloaded to Reid, who then put Sam Whitelock away in the corner.

Gear continued to deliver a classy performance as he made another break and opened up an inside gap for scrumhalf Aaron Smith to cross over the Springbok tryline.

After kicking two from four in his second test start, rookie Boks first five-eighth Johan Goosen has pulled off the field, and Elton Jantjies stepped-up to the plate with the crowd behind him.

Jantjies converted two penalties to keep the Boks in a slender 16-12 half-time lead.

Whatever All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said at the interval sparked a response.

Just 20 seconds after the break, Israel Dagg broke and Ma’a Nonu finished to make a crucial statement.

An impressive backline move off a scrum saw Dan Carter put Conrad Smith over the tryline.

The All Blacks were able to hold-out until the end, which saw them edge even closer to a record-breaking streak of 17-top tier wins for international rugby.

All Blacks:

Tries: Sam Whitelock, Aaron Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith;

Pen(s): Dan Carter

DG: Dan Carter

Con: Dan Carter (2)

Springboks:

Tries: Bryan Habana;

Con: Johan Goosen

Pen(s): Johan Goosen, Elton Jantjies (2)

HT 16-12