Five great test matches between New Zealand and South Africa

PARIS : New Zealand and South Africa each take aim at a record fourth World Cup crown when they meet in this year’s final in Paris on Saturday.

We look back at five notable clashes between two of the superpowers of the game.

1956: NEW ZEALAND 11-5 SOUTH AFRICA

New Zealand had not won a series against South Africa in the first 35 years of competition between the two nations but went into the fourth and final test in Auckland in 1956 with a 2-1 lead.

Some 61,240 fans, still a New Zealand record, came to watch in expectation as the All Blacks took a 3-0 halftime lead before the giant boot of Don Clarke finished off the visitors in the second period.

1995: SOUTH AFRICA 15-12 NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand went into the 1995 World Cup final as favourites against hosts South Africa with giant winger Jonah Lomu epitomising their power, strength and skill.

But the debutant Springboks would not be denied in front of jubilant new President Nelson Mandela and put in a stoic defensive effort at Ellis Park before claiming a drama-filled extra-time win thanks to Joel Stransky’s drop-goal.

2000: SOUTH AFRICA 46-40 NEW ZEALAND

South Africa had lost their opening two games of the Tri-Nations in 2000, including a 25-12 defeat in New Zealand in which they failed to score a try.

Faced with the All Blacks again at the altitude of Ellis Park, they threw caution to the wind and decided to simply run ball at every opportunity.

They led 33-13 just past the half-hour mark in front of a disbelieving home crowd, but the All Blacks fought back and were 40-39 ahead before a final try from South African scrumhalf Werner Swanepoel.

Incredibly, there were no points scored after the 66th minute as the Springboks held on.

2017: NEW ZEALAND 57-0 SOUTH AFRICA

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