Match Centre: New Zealand 19-17 South Africa

New Zealand 19-17 South Africa, Townsville

Jordie Barrett kicked the decisive penalty goal in the closing stage as New Zealand edged out South Africa 19-17 in the fifth round in Townsville to claim the Rugby Championship title.

This was also fifth win for New Zealand from as many games as they taken their tally to 24 points with the Springboks at second with 11 points after losing their third successive game.

The two teams will once again face each other on 2nd October at Cbus Super Stadium for the final round of the competition before they head for the European tour.

It took New Zealand just three minutes to score the opening try in what was the 100th Test between the two sides as Codie Taylor breached South Africa's defence and then offloaded to Will Jordan, who went over the line. Jordie kicked the conversion as they raced to a 7-0 lead.

The response from the Boks came almost immediately with this time George Bridge failing to grab a kick from Faf de Klerk allowing Sibusiso Nkosi to pounce on the loose ball to touchdown in the 7th minute but Handre Pollard's conversion went wide as the scoreline became 7-5.

Pollard made amends for his earlier mistake with a penalty kick in the 10th minute after Brodie Retallick was penalised and few minutes later he slotted another long-range kick as South Africa went to a 7-11 lead.

As the Boks held their defence tight, New Zealand were desperate to counterattack as the slugfest continued until the 31st minute when Jordie kicked his first three-pointer of the game. In the 36th minute, South Africa suffered a setback as Nkosi was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock down and Jordie ensured New Zealand went into the break with a 13-11 lead with his second penalty kick.

The trend continued in the second half as well with both the teams looking for an early advantage but it was only in the 58th minute the deadlock came to an end with Pollard kicking a three-pointer after the All Blacks were penalised deep inside their own half.

South Africa's lead was short-lived as an offside infringement from the Boks allowed Jordie to kick his third penalty in the 61st minute but the scoreline became 16-17 by the 67th minute as Pollard responded back after the All Blacks strayed offside on defence.

With all the results possible, the game entered the final stage and Barrett held his nerve to slot the match-winning penalty with two minutes left to complete a thrilling victory.

Team line-up:

New Zealand: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 David Havili, 11 George Bridge, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Ethan Blackadder, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.

Reserves: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Ofa Tuungafasi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Hoskins Sotutu, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Quinn Tupaea.

South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Albertus Smith, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Trevor Nyakane.

Reserves: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Francois Mostert, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Frans Steyn.