A late Richie McCaw try helped the All Blacks clinch a closely-fought clash with the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday.
New Zealand have become masters of the fast finish and it was fitting that McCaw - in what was probably his last Test on South African soil - landed the killer blow against their fiercest rivals.
With the Springboks having crossed the Indian Ocean twice in the last fortnight, the last 20 minutes needed a big effort, but - as was the case last week against Australia - the Boks faded at the death of what was a thrilling game.
After being outscored three tries to two, the home side will rue a number of close calls having had their noses in front for most of the game.
The scores were locked at 10-all at the interval as Willie le Roux's early try was cancelled out by Ben Smith.
South Africa had led for almost the entire half and looked in control but - in typical fashion - the All Blacks struck with the last play of the half to level matters.
Quick-fire tries from Jesse Kriel and Dane Coles early in the second stanza kept the contest tight before McCaw's late try snatched victory for the world champions.
More to follow...
The scorers:
For South Africa:
Tries: Le Roux, Kriel
Cons: Pollard 2
Pens: Pollard 2
For New Zealand:
Tries: B. Smith, Coles
Cons: Sopoaga 3
Pens: Sopoaga 2
South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Schalk Burger, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Flip van der Merwe, 20 Warren Whiteley, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Lionel Mapoe.
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Charles Piutau, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Liam Messsam, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Sam Whitelock, 20 Victor Vito, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Malakai Fekitoa
Venue: Emirates Airlines Park (Ellis Park), Johannesburg
Referee: Jérôme Garcès
Assistant referees: Romain Poite, Leighton Hodges
TMO: Graham Hughes
