\n<\/p>\n
New Zealand<\/strong> (20) 35<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n| Tries:<\/strong> A Smith, Frizell, Jordan, Mo’unga <\/span>Cons:<\/strong> Mo’unga 3 <\/span>Pens:<\/strong> Mo’unga 3<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | South Africa<\/strong> (3) 20<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Tries:<\/strong> Marx, Kolbe, Smith <\/span>Con:<\/strong> Kolbe <\/span>Pen:<\/strong> De Klerk<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n | New Zealand survived a fightback from South Africa to win their Rugby Championship match 35-20 in Auckland.<\/span><\/p>\n The All Blacks made a strong start, with tries from Aaron Smith and Shannon Frizell helping them into a 17-0 lead. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n A Faf de Klerk penalty got the Springboks off the mark and tries from Malcolm Marx and Cheslin Kolbe reduced the deficit to 23-15.<\/span><\/p>\n New Zealand responded with Will Jordan and Richie Mo’unga scores before a late try from South Africa’s Kwagga Smith.<\/span><\/p>\n “It’s always physical and an awesome Test match – ones you look forward to,” said All Blacks captain Sam Cane, whose side beat Argentina in their opening Rugby Championship game.<\/span><\/p>\n “They are the reigning World Cup champions so we knew it would be a good test to see where we were at as a team. <\/span><\/p>\n “We’re pleased to see improvement from last week. We know we’ve still got a way to go to get to where we want to but it was a good Test match.”<\/span><\/p>\n Cane did not return after half-time because of injury, while De Klerk had to be replaced because of injury during the second half.<\/span><\/p>\n The All Blacks’ blistering start was aided by a poor performance from the world champions in the opening stages, in which they made too many unforced errors, according to Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber.<\/span><\/p>\n “The start was not idea for us, the first 20 minutes we struggled to get into the game because of poor discipline. I think we gave away four consecutive penalties,” Nienaber said.<\/span><\/p>\n “We made a lot of mistakes and those errors put us under pressure. The quality side that New Zealand are, they were able to capitalise and we had to play catch-up rugby for the rest of the game.”<\/span><\/p>\n The two teams will next face each other at Twickenham on 25 August in a friendly prior to the Rugby World Cup in France.<\/span><\/p>\n Juan Martin Gonzalez’s last-minute try in Sydney saw Argentina snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in a thrilling 34-31 win against Australia in the later Rugby Championship game.<\/span><\/p>\n It meant a second consecutive win for the Pumas against the Wallabies for the first time ever.<\/span><\/p>\n Australia led 10-0 after Len Ikitau’s opening try and Quade Cooper’s penalty before Argentina scored the next 17 points.<\/span><\/p>\n Jeronimo de la Fuente finished off a try which followed a nine-phase build-up, and Julian Montoya smashed his way to the line as the Pumas took control.<\/span><\/p>\n In an end-to-end Test match, Nic White darted over to draw the Wallabies level but Mateo Carreras edged the visitors in front once more.<\/span><\/p>\n Samu Kerevi then hit back for Australia to set up a tense finale before the hosts thought they had clinched victory when Mark Nawaqanitawase intercepted a loose Argentinean pass to cross with five minutes remaining.<\/span><\/p>\n But Argentina were not finished and Gonzalez grounded the ball from a rolling maul for the bonus-point win to put more pressure on Wallabies coach Eddie Jones.<\/span><\/p>\n Jones has now lost both games of his second spell in charge of Australia following a thumping defeat by South Africa on his return last weekend.<\/span><\/p>\n The 63-year-old, who was sacked by England last year, said his side can challenge the All Blacks in their next game despite “not quite gelling” against the Pumas.<\/span><\/p>\n “In 10 days we can be a completely different team, and that’s the aim,” he said.<\/span><\/p>\n “We tried to play a bit freer which involved a bit more decision making, but at the moment it’s not quite gelling.<\/span><\/p>\n “But we’ve got to accept there is going to be a little bit of pain.<\/span><\/p>\n “If you look at our squad at the moment, there are a number of guys coming back from long-term injuries, so we’re not where we should be.<\/span><\/p>\n “But that’s no excuse for today’s performance.<\/span><\/p>\n “It’s more about how can the team just be better decision makers around the ball and our ability to get off the line a bit harder. <\/span><\/p>\n |