Magnificent All Blacks defence was the foundation of their two-try 20-18 victory over South Africa to claim a place in the Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham next week.

It was a classic contest between the two great rivals, decided by flanker Jerome Kaino and Beauden Barrett's tries and the goal-kicking boot of first five-eighths Dan Carter, including a timely dropped goal, against the goal-kicking of South Africa first five-eighths Handre Pollard and Patrick Lambie.

New Zealand battled a penalty count that was 2:1 against them but against that upset the Springbok lineout making four steals, including a vital take by lock Sam Whitelock from replacement Victor Matfield which ensured the All Blacks would be able to play the vital last 10 minutes deep in South African territory.

It reached the point where South Africa needed to go the length of the field to secure a try at the end, something they hadn't look like doing all game, and New Zealand's defence forced the error from Matfield who knocked the ball on to end the game.

Rain fell throughout the second half and while there wasn't the dazzling, running play that marked the quarter-final win over France, there was a solidity and patience that South Africa were unable to break and while it wasn't a day for fullback Ben Smith to work his magic, he gave New Zealand great momentum with some of his follow-ups to downfield kicks. That maintained pressure on the Springboks.

The different demands of the semi-final were obvious when Carter launched an early Garryowen into the Springbok goalmouth for fullback Willie le Roux to make the mark. However, New Zealand made a quick throw and ran the ball back, moving left and right before Richie McCaw found Kaino with a high ball on the fight flank. Kaino, who had already made an impact with strong tackles, pulled the ball in, fended off lock Lood de Jager and went over in the corner.

In attempting to make the conversion Carter had wing Bryan Habana run past him, but he was early and when the kick missed, Carter was given a free chance which he landed.

South Africa's defence was consistent while New Zealand were guilty of giving away nine penalties, four of them in goal-kicking distance for first five-eighths Handre Pollard to land to help his side to a 12-7 lead at the break.

The situation was compounded when having made a tackle which resulted in a ruck Kaino was deemed to have interfered with the ball by kicking as he ran back into position and was sin-binned in the 38th minute.

New Zealand didn't lack possession and upset three South African lineouts. They looked to recycle ball consistently and wear the defenders down.

Two South African ploys proved successful: the box kick by halfback Fourie du Preez to Nehe Milner-Skudder's right wing where Habana controlled the kick-catch, and the breakdown where Francois Louw won some useful turnover ball.

New Zealand absorbed Kaino's absence at the start of the second half and Carter had time to snap over a dropped goal and when Kaino returned there was an immediate lift in tempo.

That saw the All Blacks camp in the 22m area. As the Springboks tried to clear their line, Carter flicked the ball clear in a tackle of flanker Schalk Burger and the ball was moved. As halfback Aaron Smith tried to clear the ball from a ruck near the South African line, Habana interfered with his pass.

Kaino took the ball right, and then it was moved back quickly to the left where Nonu drifted wide and created the space on the flank for Beauden Barrett, who had replaced the injured Milner-Skudder, to score in the 51st minute. And Habana was sent to the sin bin for his troubles.

Scorers: New Zealand 20 (Handre Pollard 5 pen; Pat Lambie pen) South Africa 18 (Jerome Kaino, Beauden Barrett tries; Dan Carter 2 con, pen, dropped goal). HT: 7-12



