All Blacks clinch Tri-Nations crown

South Africa 22 New Zealand 29

Late tries from Richie McCaw and Israel Dagg ruined John Smit’s 100th Test appearance for South Africa as New Zealand clinched the Tri Nations title with victory in Johannesburg.

The world champions, playing in front of more than 90,000 spectators, were in command for most of the game and looked to be closing out their first win of the competition after 17 points from Morne Steyn and Schalk Burger’s try saw them head into the closing stages with a five-point lead.

But with two minutes to go, All Black captain McCaw went over in the corner to draw his side level, and even though Daniel Carter missed the conversion, there was enough time for Dagg to cross the line and snatch the win.