Springboks go 2-1 up in series after edging New Zealand

JOHANNESBURG, Sept 5 : South Africa edged another ferocious and bruising clash against New Zealand to win the third test 29-24 on Saturday and go 2-1 up in the four-test series dubbed "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry".

Both teams scored four tries in front of 87,976 fans at Soccer City, with the Springboks coming back after trailing in the first half to add to their narrow success in last weekend’s second test in Cape Town.

Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel and Malcolm Marx scored tries for South Africa plus there was a penalty try awarded to the home side. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu kicked over a penalty and two conversions.

New Zealand captain Ardie Savea went over for two of his team's tries with record try-scorer Will Jordan and Samisoni Taukei’aho adding the other two for the All Blacks, who won the first test in Johannesburg a fortnight ago. Ruben Love and Damian McKenzie each added a conversion.

The final test will be played in Baltimore, in the United States, next Saturday.

CLASSIC CONTEST

It proved another classic contest of Springbok forward power against the All Blacks’ pacey passing attack, with New Zealand starting furiously but eventually being worn down by the physicality of their hosts.

"It was epic and intense, fierce battle in all departments. The scoreboard in the end showed how close it was. We’re just happy to win," said Bok coach Rassie Erasmus.

"There was not a lot in it," added his Kiwi counterpart Dave Rennie. "They (South Africa) were probably stronger than they had been in the first two tests. I’m really proud but we have to be better at the discipline stuff which gives them easy entries. The change room is pretty gutted but our mindset will be to bounce next week."

The All Blacks’ opening try came in the 11th