FALSE START

A STUMBLING start saw the Springboks lose their second Rugby Championship Test match of the season after going down 24-17 against New Zealand at Eden Park on Saturday.

South Africa have only themselves to blame for the loss that sees them third on Rugby Championship log, after defensive errors saw them concede 14 points in the opening 20 minutes.

New Zealand struck early in the highly-anticipated clash as Emoni Narawa fielded a cross-kick from Beauden Barrett and slipped under a tackle from a hapless Willie le Roux before dummying Cheslin Kolbe to score the opening try.

However, the All Blacks' skill again came to the fore as Beauden Barrett kicked a 50/22 to set up a lineout inside SA’s 22.

A surprise long throw then caught the Bokke off-guard as Wallace Sititi caught the ball at the back before offloading to Will Jordan, who ran past Malcolm Marx before diving over for his span’s second try.

SA tried hard to claw their way back into the game and were rewarded with two shots at goal, with Handre Pollard only managing to convert one as the sides hit the sheds for halftime with the Bokke trailing 14-3.

An early second-half penalty by Damian McKenzie then put the All Blacks 17-3 up, but it was SA who slowly but surely started to dictate terms on the pitch.

Armed with a powerful scrum, the Boks hit back as they steamrolled the Kiwis off their own ball, before Marx dived over from close range [17-10]. However, their joy was short-lived when Lood de Jager obstructed a Kiwi chaser from the kickoff before Quinn Tupaea scored NZ’s third try from that penalty [24-10].

There was still enough time left for the Boks to try and snatch a draw when another foray into the All Black 22 saw Cobus Reinach score to put the Boks seven points behind.

Another raid saw the Boks come within metres of the tryline, but for Test centurion Ardie Savea to make a crucial steal that ended SA’s hopes of a miraculous draw.

Meanwhile, Australia rallied from 14 points down and scored a try in the 86th minute to edge Argentina 28-24.