South Africa 22-29 New Zealand
New Zealand are the 2010 Tri-Nations champions after defeating South Africa 29-22 in Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon.
The All-Blacks needed only a point to ensure that they reclaimed the title from the Springboks, but Graham Henry’s men came from behind to snatch victory right at the death thanks to tries from captain Richie McCaw and substitute Israel Dagg.
South Africa were in front by 22-17 with only two minutes left on the clock when McCaw levelled with a try in the right corner. Springbok officials were incensed, however, that a forward pass had not been spotted in the build up to the try, while video replays suggested that Bryan Habana may have dragged McCaw’s leg into touch before he grounded the ball.
Dagg touched down almost immediately after McCaw’s try, outpacing Springbok full-back Gio Aplon to touch down in the corner after Ma’a Nonu had broken free of the South African midfield.
The hosts led 16-14 at the break thanks to three penalties from Morne Steyn and a converted try by Schalk Burger, while prop Tony Woodcock responded with a try for the All-Blacks.
Two further penalties from Steyn in the second half, with one in reply from Dan Carter, left the Springboks in front right up until McCaw’s late intervention.
It was a devastating end for Springbok captain John Smit on the occasion of his 100th cap in front of over 90,000 fans in Soccer City, while New Zealand celebrated their seventh Tri-Nations title in nine years.
