JOHANNESBURG // Late tries from Richie McCaw and Israel Dagg ruined John Smit's 100th Test appearance for South Africa as New Zealand clinched the Tri Nations title with their victory yesterday. The world champions, playing in front of more than 90,000 spectators at the FNB Stadium, were in command for most of the game and looked to be closing out their first win of the competition after 17 points from Morne Steyn and Schalk Burger's try saw them head into the closing stages with a five-point lead and on target for their first success in the competition.
But with two minutes to go, McCaw, the All Black captain, went over in the corner to draw his side level, and even though Dan Carter missed the conversion, there was enough time for Dagg to cross the line and snatch the win. It was harsh on the hosts and holders, who looked determined to end their run of three consecutive defeats with a passionate display. The Springboks had enjoyed the better of the early stages, but the sides were level after 20 minutes as Steyn and Carter exchanged two penalty kicks.
Carter's first kick also made him the record points scorer in international rugby as he overtook England's Jonny Wilkinson. The opening try after 25 minutes followed a quick penalty tap-and-go from Steyn and the momentum of the forwards carried Burger over the line. The Pretoria Bulls No 10 made no mistake with the conversion, but again the All Blacks hit back with a Carter penalty -this one from the halfway line.
Steyn extended the lead to 10 points again with another penalty, but the All Blacks came right back into it after 36 minutes when a forward move saw the ball quickly switched from left to right with Ma'a Nonu and Tom Donnelly combining to send Tony Woodcock over for his seventh international try. Carter missed the conversion, allowing the Springboks to take a two-point lead into the second half, and they had a great chance for a second try straight after the restart when Carter's clearance kick was charged down, but the ball was not recycled quickly enough.
Two penalties from Steyn extended the Springboks' lead to eight points, and though Carter landed a penalty to cut the deficit, their hopes appeared to have been dashed when he missed a kick from close range with seven minutes to go. The Springboks defence had dealt well with all the All Blacks attack had to offer for much of the second half, but two minutes from time, McCaw collected the ball on the overlap and dived over in the right corner.
There was a tense wait before the television referee gave the New Zealand captain the benefit of the doubt for the score. A point from a draw would have been enough for New Zealand to be the champions, but the All Blacks ensured they picked up their 10th Tri Nations title in style as good work from Nonu set up Dagg to cross over on the left with the last play of the match and leave the hosts heartbroken.
* Press Association
