However, the progress they made at the end of the first segment, began to pay off at the beginning of the second segment. Now it was the Boks who dictated the pace, which put the All Blacks under pressure as the visiting reserves provided the much-needed forward ball.
Malcolm Marks was pushed from the line from five metres, then Cheslin Colby completed the move in spectacular fashion as a beautiful pass from Willy Le Roux gave him just enough room to dive into the corner.
Cut the deficit to six points, the Boks put the All Blacks on the ropes, but the hosts absorbed that pressure and Mo’unga then hit a decisive 49-meter penalty to give them some breathing room.
Jordan scored the try that took the game past the Boks, courtesy of a clever kick from Beauden Barrett, before Mo’unga finally put the icing on the cake. There was enough time for Kwagga Smith to charge, and while the Boks deserve credit for their return, it was the All Blacks who made the biggest statement just two months before the Rugby World Cup.
New Zealand 35 (20): Sees – a. Smith, S.; Frizzell, W.; Jordan, R.; Muunga. Transfers – R. Muunga (3). Penalties – R Muunga (3)
South Africa 20 (3): SeeS – Marx, C. Colby, K. smith. Transfers – c. Flask. penalty – F. de Klerk
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