CAPE TOWN, South Africa - The Springboks bounced back from defeat in their Rugby's Greatest Rivalry (RGR) opening Test last weekend as they levelled the four match series in Saturday's 33-26 win.
The Springboks led 24-14 at half-time and were 16 points up early in the second half. They fought off a late fightback to win despite being outscored four tries to three.
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus sprung a major surprise before kick-off even by his standards, with an entirely new front row revealed to the public within an hour of kick-off via the team sheet submitted to match officials.
Props Gerhard Steenekamp and Thomas du Toit started either side of hooker Deon Fourie, as Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche and Wilco Louw dropped to the bench - all eventually taking to the field as the match progressed.
The Springboks started strong, gaining ground through the maul and remaining patient until Jesse Kriel stepped through a gap in the defence to finish off from close range for the first try of the game - converted by Cheslin Kolbe.
The All Blacks had a chance to hit back in the 11th minute, as Damian McKenzie spotted a similar gap and grubber-kicked ahead for Will Jordan. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu - whose defensive work in the first Test of the series had been subject to widespread scrutiny - this time sprinted to make a vital tackle.
The All Blacks won a penalty for hands in the ruck and set up a lineout on the Springboks' five-metre line, but pressure from Eben Etzebeth forced a knock-on and gave the Boks a chance to clear.
Dave Rennie's side ran it back shortly afterwards and some quick hands from them - combined with missed tackles from centres Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel - allowed Cam Roigard to cross for a try, which Ruben Love converted.
The Springboks quickly restored the lead through a Kolbe penalty kick for a Tyrel Lomax offside. Erasmus' men then piled on the pressure after Codie Taylor was penalised shortly afterwards for the same offence. Once again, the Bok forwards drove the All Blacks to the brink of the try-line. This time, it was de Allende who finished the job.
New Zealand kept the pressure on as the Springboks survived a scare from a charged-down Feinberg-Mngomezulu kick, which Jordie Barrett couldn't get on the end of before it crossed the dead-ball line.
The All Blacks eventually hit back as the seconds ticked down towards the half-hour mark. Ardie Savea created an opening and New Zealand worked the ball out right for McKenzie to score before Love added the extras from the tee.
Kolbe's superb chase from a cross-kick forced the All Blacks to hold on for dear life to the ball, conceding a five-metre scrum in the process. From there, it was only a matter of time before Cobus Reinach slipped Siya Kolisi through 37 minutes in. Kolbe's conversion restored the 10-point advantage for the Springboks heading into the break.
Two Kolbe penalties from under the posts stretched the lead out to 16 points with less than half an hour left to play.
The All Blacks took 15 minutes to hit back. After a cagey period, the game eventually opened up for them to run the ball downfield and swing it to Leroy Carter on the left side for an unconverted try.
The floodgates had opened late on in the All Blacks' previous visit to Cape Town - a 38-21 win over the Stormers on August 7. However, the Springboks proved more resilient in the closing stages - albeit not impenetrable.
In the 72nd minute, another Kolbe penalty kick from 40 metres out stretched the lead back to the equivalent of two converted tries.
The All Blacks forced their way over in the 77th minute through skipper Savea, who went over from close range after an All Blacks spell on the attack. The conversion ensured a tight finish, but the Springboks ensured the game reverted to a cagey, physical contest rather than one better-suited to the All Blacks' expansive style of play.
A yellow card to Lood de Jager proved inconsequential collateral damage for South Africa as Erasmus and the Springboks had the last laugh on the day.
The September 5 Test at FNB Stadium in Nasrec, Johannesburg will be the last on South African soil for this tour before the teams head to Baltimore, Maryland for the September 12 RGR Tour finale.
