Match Centre: Rugby Championship: New Zealand 35-20 South Africa

New Zealand 35-20 South Africa, Auckland

New Zealand maintained their perfect start in the ongoing Rugby Championship as they defeated World Champions South Africa 35-20 in the second round in Auckland.

New Zealand now have two wins from as many games as they are at the top of the table while South Africa are at second place with five points.

The All Blacks started the game in a sensational manner as Will Jordan set up Aaron Smith over as he dived over and Richie Mo'unga, who returned at fly-half kicked the conversion and followed with a penalty goal to make it 10-0.

They stepped up the ante as Shannon Frizell barges over in the corner going past Willie le Roux. Mo'unga once again was spot on with the conversion to extend their lead to 17-0. The Boks had a chance to open their account but a TMO referral showed Cheslin Kolbe did not ground the ball.

As Mo'unga and Faf de Klerk exchanged penalties, the teams went into the break with a 20-3 scoreline.

The Boks got their first try in the 53rd minute as Malcolm Marx barges over after a powerful driving maul and Kolbe kicked the conversion to reduce the gap down to 10 points before Mo'unga kicked a three-pointer to make it 23-10.

The 61st minute saw a long pass from Willie Le Roux to set up Kolbe making it 23-15 before Jordan collected a clever cross-kick from Barrett to score to make it 30-15. With the full time nearing, Mo'unga and Kwagga Smith exchanged tries as the All Blacks completed a 35-20 victory.

Team line up:

New Zealand:15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Mark Telea, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot

Reserves: 16 Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Tupou Vaa'i, 20 Dalton Papali'i, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Braydon Ennor, 23 Caleb Clarke

South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff

Reserves: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 21 Duane Vermeulen, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok