22 Aug 2010

ABs beat Boks with late McCaw, Dagg tries to take Tri-Nations

6:08 am on 22 August 2010

The All Blacks have beaten South Africa 29-22 in front of a crowd of 95,000 at Soweto's National Stadium to seal the Tri-Nations title for the 10th time.

Springbok captain John Smit's 100th Test looked like it would be rewarded with a victory as the home side led 22-17 with less than 10 minutes remaining.

But two late tries sealed the win for the All Blacks as the big Bok pack tired.

The All Blacks dominated territory and possession in the first half but trailed the Springboks 16-14 at the break with a try apiece.

Bok flanker Schalk Burger pushed over for the opening try then All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock replied with a finish out on the wing before half-time.

The New Zealand captain Richie McCaw crashed over out wide with time nearly up. With two defenders trying to drag him into touch McCaw got the ball down and the video referee ruled he'd grounded the ball before his foot went out.

But first-five Dan Carter missed the conversion so the scores were tied at 24-24 with two minutes remaining.

However the All Blacks got a midfield turnover as the Springboks were setting up for a drop goal winner and replacement winger Israel Dagg scored the winning try in the opposite corner to his skipper's a couple of minutes earlier.

It's the first win for the All Blacks in Johannesburg since 1997.