OPINION: Befitting the often bitter rivalry between these two archrivals, the 100th All Blacks-Springboks proved an intense, but not always pretty watch.
With two tries in the opening 10 minutes - and then none in the remaining 70 - the result came down to penalties and who made the least mistakes.
Many of the NZ players who had previously starred during this Rugby Championship simply didn't have enough room to show their skills - forwards spent the night buried in the tight, while backs were kept busy making and taking tackles, and chasing high kicks.
Picture the opening 15 minutes of Saving Private Ryan.
But with the game on the line, one man stood up to make the difference.
Here are the All Blacks' individual player ratings for their 19-17 victory at Townsville:
Joe Moody 5
Became the scapegoat at scrumtime, seemingly unable to do anyhing right in the eyes of referee Luke Pearce. The Moody-Laulala combo actually wasn't that bad, but suffered some questionable calls against.
Three runs for zero metres, this was never an encounter for free-running front-row play. Replaced by Tu'inukuafe in the 58th minute.
Codie Taylor 6
Sparked Will Jordan's opening try with a spectacular scamper through the Springboks defence, but got lost in the wrestle. A couple of shaky lineout throws didn't help the All Blacks cause.
Replaced by Taukei'aho in the 64th minute.
Nepo Laulala 5
Solid enough at scrumtime, but conceded a turnover and knocked on, with the All Blacks hot on attack in the second half.
Replaced by Tuungafasi in the 58th minute.
Brodie Retallick 6
Conceded a couple of early penalties that cost his team six big points, but battled in the lineouts, stealing one against the throw. One of the All Blacks' leading tacklers with nine.
Scott Barrett 6
Won a couple of lineouts, but also lost one. Showed his openfield ability with a galloping linebreak off younger bro Jordie.
Replaced by Patrick Tuipulotu in the 65th minute.
Akira Ioane 5
Not the type of game that suits Ioane's powerful running, he got buried in the tight stuff. Dropped a pass cold, when the All Blacks were pressing.
Replaced by Sotutu 70th minute.
Ethan Blackadder 8
One of the few forwards that showed out, whether tackling, competing at the breakdown or linking phases. Became the All Blacks' most reliable source of lineout ball and their leading tackler with 10.
Ardie Savea 6
Made a halfbreak in the first half and was bundled into touch at the corner off a fractured lineout drive. Perhaps needed to adjust his tactical approach, when the match became a wrestle, passing up 2-3 kickable penalties that may have eased the blood pressure later.
TJ Perenara 5
Constantly under pressure from Springbok forwards pouring through the breakdowns and didn't always deal with that attention well. Threw a couple of shocking passes that put those outside him in the firing line.
Replaced by Weber in the 65th minute.
Beauden Barrett 6
Struggled to stamp his mark on proceedings. Executed one pinpoint kick crossfield to Jordie and carved off good territory with his touchfinders.
George Bridge 4
Had an absolute 'mare, as the Springboks kickers bombarded the back three with high balls. Spilled one that gifted them an easy try and subsequently spilled a couple more.
Won't remember this match fondly and was replaced by Tupaea in the 72nd minute.
David Havili 5
Probably the first time we've wondered if maybe he's out of his depth in midfield. Hopefully, this will pass, but under immense pressure from the fast-advancing 'Boks defence.
Made half a dozen tackles, but was largely trampled by a herd of runaway rhinos.
Rieko Ioane 4
No notes next to Ioane's name, which shows how little he impacted this game, after a spectacular season. Seem to remember him handling the ball once in the second half, but his pass was dropped.
Will Jordan 6
Continued his incredible tryscoring form for the All Blacks, but spilled the ball on two other occasions. Was his team's leading metre-eater with 56, most of them off his scoring dash.
Was replaced by McKenzie in the 58th minute.
Jordie Barrett 9
Not a perfect performance by any means, but fearless under the high ball and definitely the one you wanted underneath. Secured a crucial midfield bomb near the end, as the 'Boks desperately chased the win.
Missed touch a couple of times from the mark, but thank goodness the coaching staff handed goalkicking duties to him, instead of Beauden. Perfect off the tee, including a niggly angled penalty to win.
Reserves
Samisoni Taukei'aho 5
Replaced Taylor in the 64th minute, lost a lineout.
Karl Tu'inukuafe 5
Replaced Moody in the 58th minute.
Ofa Tuungafasi 5
Replaced Laulala in the 58th minute.
Patrick Tuipulotu 5
Replaced Scott Barrett in the 65th minute.
Hoskins Sotutu 6
Replaced Akira Ioane in the 70th minute, kicked and chased to spark an attacking raid
Brad Weber 6
Replaced Perenara in the 65th minute. Threatened to break the game open with a dash towards the tryline, but ran away from support and was dragged down short.
Damian McKenzie 4
Replaced Jordan in the 58th minute, but couldn't make an impact. Dropped a high ball and was laughably penalised for impeding a giant lock in an aerial contest - like a mosquito on an elephant.
Quinn Tupaea 7
Replaced Bridge in the 72nd minute and did all you could ask of an impact player of the bench, sealing a breakdown and earning the winning penalty.
Grant Chapman is Newshub's online sports leader. Join us at 11pm Saturday for live updates of the second All Blacks v South Africa Rugby Championship clash.
