New Zealand's three match losing streak came to an end when they beat South Africa 35-22 in the Rugby Championship yesterday.
The Kiwi's came into the game with serious pressure on their shoulders having underperformed for the better part of a year. The All Blacks poor form had seen them drop to fifth in the rugby world rankings, their lowest ever position.
Yet, New Zealand looked much more like their old selves as they raced into a 15-0 lead in Johannesburg. Under fire captain Sam Cane and Samisoni Taukei'aho both got over the line to give New Zealand a commanding lead.
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World Champions South Africa came back into the game with a try from Lukhanyo Am. Handre Pollard kicked a penalty soon after, ensuring the Springboks trailed by only five points at the break.
The home side took the lead for the first time in the 68th minute following a Beauden Barrett yellow card. However, 14-man New Zealand fought back and scored two late tries to pick up an important win.
"Proud is an understatement," said Cane after the match.
"Adversity really challenges your character and this group has that. We had to get a few parts of our game right as this is one of the toughest places in the world to come and play.
"We were a lot better at the breakdown and dealt with the contestables better. We defended the maul well. That is what Test footy is all about, getting the small things right to build pressure."
The All Blacks had been in the midst of their worst run of form in two decades, and had lost five of their last six matches going into yesterday's game.
Boss Ian Foster has been under immense pressure his side's defeat to Ireland in a three match test series in New Zealand earlier this summer. Over the course of those three weeks, Andy Farrell's men picked up two historic wins over the All Blacks, their first two wins against New Zealand on Kiwi soil.
Foster remains under massive pressure, but a good end to the Rugby Championship could be enough to save his job. New Zealand host Argentina on August 27th in the next round of the Rugby Championship.
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