New Zealand 31-17 South Africa
New Zealand claimed a second straightforward victory over South Africa in the space of a week in Wellington on Saturday morning.
The All Blacks had 20 points to spare over the Springboks in Auckland last weekend and while the margin was reduced to 14 this time, the victory was no less emphatic with Graham Henry’s side again helping themselves to four tries.
Ma’a Nonu and Mils Muliaina touched down inside the first 12 minutes and the visitors were playing catch-up from there on, a game they never looked likely to win.
A try from Danie Rossouw, in the side in place of the suspended Bakkies Botha, saw South Africa cut the deficit to six points at the break (13-7) but that was as good as it got for Peter de Villiers’s side on the day.
Debutant Rene Ranger and replacement Israel Dagg added further tries in the second half while Dan Carter kicked eight points and Piri Weepu added a penalty to complete the All Blacks’ tally, with Schalk Burger grabbing South Africa’s second try to leave it 31-17 at the finish.
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