McCaw magic seals All Blacks win over Springboks at Ellis Park

New Zealand skipper grabs late try in thrilling 27-20 Rugby Championship victory in Johannesburg

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Captains Schalk Burger of the Springboks and Richie McCaw of the All Blacks tangle in their Rugby Championship clash in Johannesburg. New Zealand won 27-20. Photo: AFP

Published: 2:00am, 26 Jul 2015Updated: 7:37pm, 26 Jul 2015

Please click on the link for a selection of photos from the second round of the 2015 Rugby Championship.

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw grabbed a late winning try as the All Blacks edged South Africa 27-20 in a gripping Rugby Championship test match in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The home side led for most of the match but just as in their defeat by Australia in their championship opener, they could not close the game out and now cannot win the title.

New Zealand winger Ben Smith and hooker Dane Coles also scored tries, with debutant fly-half Lima Sopoaga adding three conversions and a penalty.

Springbok Flip van der Merwe beats All Black Sam Whitelock to the ball at a lineout in their match at Ellis Park. Photo: AP

Fullback Willie le Roux and electric young centre Jesse Kriel claimed tries for the home side, with fly-half Handre Pollard adding two conversions and a couple of penalties.

The decision to play two openside flankers in Heinrich Brussouw, returning to the team for the first time in four years, and Francois Louw, paid dividends as the Boks dominated the breakdown, particularly in the first half.

They had the lion’s share of possession too, but the world champion All Blacks showed their spirit and character to hang in and go to the break at 10-10.