CAPE TOWN, South Africa (Reuters) – - World champions New Zealand held off a spirited fight from hosts South Africa to complete their Rugby Championship campaign unbeaten after a 25-24 win in a ferocious physical battle at Newlands on Saturday. New Zealand’s tries came from Ryan Crotty, Rieko Ioane and Damian McKenzie while Ross Cronje, Jean-Luc du Preez and Malcolm Marx scored for the home side. The conversion from Elton Jantjies put South Africa 10-8 up but New Zealand could have been quickly back ahead had Lima Sopoaga not missed a kickable penalty from 45 metres. But within three minutes South Africa had restored their two-point advantage as hooker Malcom Marx Marx took the ball inside the 22 and set up substitute loose forward Jean-Luc Du Preez for the try. Even down to 14 men, South Africa rallied in the closing stages, and Marx scored with less than two minutes remaining.

Source: The Star October 07, 2017 17:37 UTC