New Zealand narrowly justified their number one world ranking with a hard fought 19-17 win over world champions South Africa in Townsville on Saturday to secure the Rugby Championship title with a match to spare.
The 100th test between rugby's two most successful nations did not disappoint and it was not until fullback Jordie Barrett kicked his fourth penalty two minutes from time that the All Blacks took the lead for the final time.
All Blacks winger Will Jordan and his Springboks counterpart S'bu Nkosi scored early tries but from then on it was a kicking duel between South Africa flyhalf Handre Pollard and Barrett to decide the spoils.
Ultimately, Barrett's 14 points from the tee were enough to give New Zealand a 12th southern hemisphere test championship title and a 10th successive test win.
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