New Zealand beat South Africa in the Rugby Championship on Saturday to lay down a big marker for their World Cup defence in two months' time. The top-ranked All Blacks not only overcame their closest rivals in the rankings at the Springboks' favourite ground, they did it with a possession deficit and their backs pinned to the wall for much of the game. New Zealand still scored three tries to South Africa's two at Ellis Park, with captain Richie McCaw marking his last test on South African soil with the game-clincher seven minutes from time. South Africa had tries through full back Willie le Roux and center Jesse Kriel, to open leads in each half.New Zealand beat South Africa 27-20 in the Rugby ChampionshipSouth Africa's Willie le Roux scored first try of the match after 10 minutesBen Smith levelled the scores moments before half time with try of his ownJesse Kriel showed electrifying pace to touch down for South AfricaAll Blacks were level again minutes later as Dane Coles went overAndre Pollard put South Africa three points ahead with a penalty
Kriel dived over near the posts in the 45th minute to raise South African hopes again, and _ dashed them again by bursting through off a short pass for an immediate reply.