Springboks stunned by last gasp All Black victory

9.25pm

The All Blacks left it to the last minute to beat the Springboks in a dramatic finish to tonight's Tri-nations test.

South Africa battered the All Blacks with three first-half tries to lead 21-12 at half-time at Christchurch's Jade Stadium.

But concerted pressure from the All Blacks finally paid off with the last move of the game, Doug Howlett scoring a try to give New Zealand a 23-21 victory.

Carlos Spencer missed the conversion and the referee blew the whistle to leave the Springboks devastated after a second half of non-stop defence.

It was rule infringements that cost the South Africans the game in the end, the All Blacks scoring six penalties.

The test got off to an explosive start when the Springboks ran in a try in the first minute.

The Jean de Villers try was converted to give the South Africans a 7-0 lead before the All Blacks had got their breath back from the haka.

The conditions were very cold but dry and windless and no barrier to good rugby. However, it was eight minutes before the All Blacks could put the Springboks under real pressure, ending in a penalty close to the South African line. But Daniel Carter struck the upright.

Shortly afterwards, Carter had a second chance and this time he put it between the posts to cut the South African lead to 7-3.

The Springboks continued to give away penalties, Carter taking advantage to pull the gap between the sides back to just one point after 15 minutes.

Apart from the opening score, the tourists were hardly in the game at this point, though with four men over in a crucial position in the 17th minute, Bakkies Botha could have punished the All Blacks had he not dropped the ball.

Another Carter penalty put the All Blacks in the lead for the first time after 19 minutes.

The Springboks shocked New Zealand again on 25 minutes when the scrum broke up and number 8 Jacques Cronje found himself in space to score the try. The crowd were upset at a possible infringement against Justin Marshall but the score stood.

Percy Montgomery converted from virtually on the sideline to give the Springboks a 14-9 lead.

A high tackle on Carter allowed him to get back up and score his fourth from five to cut the deficit. But the Springboks broke away again and Fourie du Preez found the corner to score a third try shortly before half-time.

The referee called for the TV umpire, who ruled the try was good. Montgomery again put the ball between the posts and at half-time under-dogs South Africa led 21-12.

A frantic start to the second half again had the All Blacks unable to make any real headway and left them reliant once again on the Springboks giving penalties away.

Howlett, kicking through seven minutes into the half, finally put the South Africans under pressure but Montgomery's defence was excellent.

The All Blacks, though, were starting to show signs of progress and an enormous kick downfield from Carter, followed by some concerted pressure, led to a penalty for offside under the posts.

Carter scored to reduce the South African lead to 21-15.

The All Blacks were dominating posession, but there was another scare when Mils Muliaina touched down for a 22 with two South Africans breathing down his neck.

Crucial mistakes from the All Blacks, including an offside from Marshall, eased the pressure on the Springboks. But New Zealand continued to press and forced a lineout 6m out from the South African line. An All Black drive resulting from the lineout ended in a frustrating knock-on.

The replacement of Carter was a surprise move after 66 minutes, Tuitupou taking his place. When South Africa again conceded a penalty in front of their posts, it was Spencer who stepped up to take the kick – and put it over to bring the score back to 21-18.

Furious pressure from the All Blacks was kept at bay by a desperate defensive effort by the Springboks as the clock ticked down. Joe Rokocoko looked like finally breaking through with four minutes to go, but again the defence held firm.

Captain Tana Umaga was next with a surge, Xavier Rush joined in, then Howlett. Still the Springbok tackles came in. But finally Howlett crossed the line to score the try in the final seconds.

Spencer missed the conversion but the referee's whistle sealed the All Black win.

New Zealand 23 – South Africa 21

Half-time: 12-21