New Zealand extended its unbeaten record at Eden Park to 51 matches with a 24-17 win over world champions South Africa in The Rugby Championship on Saturday.
The All Blacks, rebounding from a loss to Argentina, struck early with tries to winger Emoni Narawa and fullback Will Jordan, building a 14-3 halftime lead. Flyhalf Handre Pollard accounted for South Africa’s only first-half points with a penalty.
The Springboks responded after the break through hooker Malcolm Marx, who scored following a dominant scrum. But a yellow card to flanker Kwagga Smith proved costly, as replacement center Quinn Tupaea crossed for New Zealand’s third try.
Scrumhalf Cobus Reinach narrowed the deficit late, but the All Blacks held firm, with captain Ardie Savea winning a crucial turnover in his 100th test to seal the result before 48,000 fans in Auckland.
“All credit to the Springboks, they pushed us right to the end,” New Zealand captain Scott Barrett said. South Africa’s skipper Jesse Kriel conceded: “We just weren’t up to scratch tonight. Too many handling errors cost us.”
The victory reinforced Eden Park’s status as New Zealand’s fortress, where the team last lost in 1994.
Scorers:
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New Zealand: Narawa, Jordan, Tupaea tries; McKenzie penalty; Barrett 3 cons.
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South Africa: Marx, Reinach tries; Pollard penalty, 2 cons.
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