It was also the Boks’ fourth win in a row over the Kiwis, the first time they achieved this in the professional era, and as a result, they won back the Freedom Cup for the first time since 2009.
The Boks outscored New Zealand by two tries to zero, clear proof of their eventual dominance, but they will be the first to admit that it was not the way they planned to execute the game plan. Like at Emirates Airline Park last weekend, the All Blacks led at the break, this time 9-3, but they could not maintain that, while a second yellow card by the visitors late in the game cost them dearly.
Although both teams made a number of personnel changes from last week, the first half also delivered a lot of the same outcomes seen in Johannesburg.
The All Blacks started best, attacking ball in hand and looking dangerous, but going nowhere slowly due to some strong defence by the home side, spurred on by a sold-out crowd.
The Boks’ lineout woes continued with two lost in attacking positions and while they started strongest in the scrum, the men in black earned parity as the half progressed. On top of that, neither South Africa’s tactical kicking nor their discipline were great.
Jasper Wiese, who earlier won a crucial turnover near his line, got pinged 13 minutes in for slowing the ball down and McKenzie kicked his first penalty goal to put his team ahead.
Siya Kolisi scored the first try of a pulsating Test.
Wiese was shown a yellow card for his indiscretion, but from the restart, the numbers stacked up again as Sevu Reece was yellow-carded for playing Willie le Roux in the air after a high kick. The Boks kicked to the line and although they won the ball, they conceded a penalty at the very next breakdown.
Meanwhile, NZ hooker Codie Taylor left the field for a HIA and his replacement, Asafo Aumua missed his target in his first lineout throw of the match. Cheslin Kolbe almost got away from the defence as a result, but was just caught in time and New Zealand could again surface for air.
The Springboks kept the pressure up and came within a metre of the All Black tryline, but were penalised for holding on and the opportunity was lost.
Both Taylor and Reece returned without the scoreboard triggered and 27 minutes in, McKenzie kicked a second penalty goal for his team after yet another SA infringement on the ground.
Neither team were scared to run the ball, but the match quickly turned into a search for territorial dominance, with both sides refusing to play in their own half.
Handre Pollard got the Boks on the board after half an hour in with a long-range penalty goal, conceded by Ardie Savea who did not release a tackled player, but McKenzie kicked a third on the buzzer to again extend the lead to six points.
Cheslin Kolbe was yet again dangerous with ball in hand.
The second half started with as much drama as the first. McKenzie almost added three more at the start of the second half, but his 50m effort just fell short and the Boks could clear.
A good attack by the Springboks forced New Zealand to try and slow the ball down, the Boks opted for a lineout drive and Malcolm Marx, who just replaced Bongi Mbonambi, got close, but still no cigar for the hosts. From the resulting maul however, Eben Etzebeth forced himself over the line, but the TMO ruled out the try.
Another penalty, another Bok maul, another stop by the All Blacks, but something had to give. It did with a determined drive by Siya Kolisi, scoring his 12th Test try from close range. Pollard converted and suddenly the Boks were leading by 10-9 after 49 minutes.
Rassie Erasmus was also making other changes, with Lukhanyo Am replacing Canan Moodie on the wing. Vincent Koch and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu replaced Frans Malherbe and Pollard and the latter's first act was to kick a penalty goal and in the process move past the 50 points mark in Test rugby. That moved the Boks into a 13-9 lead with the fourth quarter left to play.
Trust New Zealand to come back though, albeit after a Bok error on the ground, again allowing a ball carrier to be isolated. McKenzie kicked his fourth penalty goal and the Bok lead was cut to one point.
Le Roux was yellow carded 62 minutes in after his interception effort was deemed illegal, but McKenzie's kick hit the upright. The All Blacks reacted quickest to the bounce, reclaimed possession and attacked, but the Boks defence held and they managed to work their way up field.
Pieter-Steph du Toit on the attack.
The All Blacks got pinged and Feinberg-Mngomezulu stepped up to extend the lead. The crowd remained silent through as he missed from 50m out, leaving the Boks one point in front with 10 minutes to play.
McKenzie had a chance to cut into the Bok lead, but pulled his effort to the left as well seven minutes from time.
Like last week, silly indiscretions hurt the All Blacks. Prop Tyrel Lomax illegally stopped Kolbe from chasing a Jayden Hendrikse kick and was yellow carded. The Boks opted for the lineout and Malcolm Marx crashed over, pushing the lead to 18-12 with the All Blacks playing the game out with a prop short.
The last few minutes were sheer madness as the Boks kept pounding away, but credit to New Zealand, they defended stoutly to prevent a third try and a Springboks bonus point. Kolbe, who executed the perfect lineout throw, even attempted (and missed) a drop goal attempt from close range to prove that he is human after all.
That is why it was okay to cry to see Kolisi lift the Freedom Cup aloft in the Cape Town night sky, cheered on by many who got exactly what they came for.
Scorers:
Springboks 18 (3) – Tries: Siya Kolisi, Malcolm Marx. Conversion: Handre Pollard. Penalty goals: Pollard, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
New Zealand 12 (9) – Penalty goals: Damian McKenzie (4).
