Shannon Frizell scores for the All Blacks against the Springboks. Photo: Photosport
The All Blacks started and finished with style to beat the Springboks 35-20 in Auckland on Saturday and take a giant step towards retaining the Rugby Championship trophy.
An explosive beginning in which the All Blacks crossed through halfback Aaron Smith and excellent flanker Shannon Frizell set the tone at Mt Smart Stadium, with the Springboks able to come back from a 17-0 deficit inside the opening 15 minutes.
Up 20-3 at halftime, the hosts had to respond to a physical Springboks response in the second spell but finished strongly ultimately scoring four tries to three.
First five-eighth Mo'unga crossed for their final try and landed six of seven shots at goal in a 20-point haul.
There were also strong outings from forwards Frizell, Brodie Retallick and Codie Taylor, while Will Jordan was at his attacking best in his first test for more than nine months.
Captain Sam Cane said the physicality of the test was exactly as he had expected, a week after opening their season with a 43-12 defeat of the Pumas in Argentina.
"It's always an awesome test match, these are the ones you really look forward to," Cane told Sky Sport.
"There's so much history between the two teams. They're reigning World Cup champions and we knew it would be a good test of where we're at as a team.
"We're pleased to see improvement from last week. We know we've still got a wee way to go, where we want to get to, but it was a good test match tonight."
Cane was replaced at halftime after suffering a compressed nerve in his neck but hoped he could recover quickly.
New Zealand started in high-octane fashion, keeping the ball alive and stretching the Springboks defence with a series of withering raids.
Smith crossed in the fifth minute to finish a sweeping attack, with Jordan having made a critical break.
Will Jordan in action during the Rugby Championship test match between the All Blacks and South Africa at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland. Photo: Alan Lee / Photosport
Jordan was also incisive in the leadup to Frizell's try, which ended with the flanker powering over the top of South African fullback Willie le Roux.
The teams exchanged penalties before halftime but the tourists emerged from the break in impressive fashion -- boosted by their powerful reserves bench - winning more of the physical exchanges and setting up a try from a lineout drive to replacement hooker Malcolm Marx.
Mo'unga stopped the rot with a 48m penalty goal but South Africa struck back with their second try to a diving Cheslin Kolbe as the game entered a tense final quarter.
Victory was sealed when Jordan scored off a clever crosskick from fullback Beauden Barrett and Mo'unga darted over in the dying minutes, before flanker Kwagga Smith scored a consolation try for the Springboks.
Shannon Frizell surrounded by teammates after scoring a try for the All Blacks against the Springboks. Photo: Photosport
South African centre Lukhanyo Am said his side paid for a slow start.
"We'll give credit to the All Blacks. We knew if we wanted to stand a chance, we had to control the chaos."
The Springboks were fielding a host of players who missed last week's win over Australia at Pretoria, instead flying to Auckland to prepare early for a match which was a probably championship decider.
The Rugby Championship will conclude on 29 July when the Wallabies host the All Blacks in Melbourne and the Springboks host the Pumas in Johannesburg.
- RNZ