New Zealand vs South Africa LIVE: Rugby Championship result and reaction as All Blacks beat Springboks

New Zealand 35-20 South Africa: The All Blacks produce a first-half blitz to all but secure the Rugby Championship trophy

(Getty Images)

New Zealand rode another blistering start to a 35-20 victory over South Africa at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday, making a big statement in a World Cup year and placing one hand on the Rugby Championship trophy.

Playing a high-octane brand of attacking rugby married with immense physicality, the All Blacks scored early tries through Aaron Smith and Shannon Frizell before late scores from Will Jordan and Richie Mo’unga put a seal on the victory.

The world champions, starved of the ball and heavily penalised, looked shellshocked by the early onslaught but recovered to score second-half tries through Malcolm Marx, Cheslin Kolbe and Kwagga Smith.

The victory made it two wins out of two in the truncated championship for the All Blacks after last week’s 41-12 win over Argentina that was also built on an early try blitz.

Relive all the action from the Rugby Championship below:

New Zealand vs South Africa - Rugby Championship latest updates

• New Zealand beat South Africa in the Rugby Championship to all but secure the trophy
• FULL-TIME! New Zealand 35-20 South Africa
• TRY! NEW ZEALAND 30-15 South Africa (Will Jordan try, 69 minutes)
• TRY! New Zealand 23-15 SOUTH AFRICA (Cheslin Kolbe try, 62 minutes)
• TRY! New Zealand 20-10 SOUTH AFRICA (Malcolm Marx try, 54 minutes)
• TRY! NEW ZEALAND 17-0 South Africa (Shannon Frizell try, 16 minutes)
• TRY! NEW ZEALAND 7-0 South Africa (Aaron Smith try, 5 minutes)

[15 July 2023 08:35 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Try? New Zealand 17-0 South Africa, 26 minutes

Now then! Beauden Barrett and Cheslin Kolbe jostle in the air, the ball coming down between them as they tumble back to earth - has Kolbe managed to get it down?...

[15 July 2023 08:34 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

New Zealand 17-0 South Africa, 25 minutes

South Africa’s scrum is steady, Damian de Allende then setting a platform with a hard line. Faf de Klerk brings his forwards around the corner with little pops. Five metres short.

[15 July 2023 08:33 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

New Zealand 17-0 South Africa, 23 minutes

All Blacks forwards coach Jason Ryan is regarded as just about the best maul defence schemer in the world, and his unit holds firm as South Africa try to get their lineout drive moving. Brodie Retallick then delivers a tonking, exposing the ball as Codie Taylor rushes through to scoop off his shoelaces. The hooker can’t quite get his paws around it, though - a knock-on allows the Springboks another opportunity to creating a scoring chance.

[15 July 2023 08:31 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

New Zealand 17-0 South Africa, 21 minutes

Finally concerted possession for South Africa, building from a turnover near halfway. Cheslin Kolbe twice involves himself, ending up in Brodie Retallick’s constricting limbs as he chooses the wrong exit while sweeping along a ring road.

An All Blacks ruck infringement earns the Springboks a penalty. No thought of the three - prodded into the left corner to try a more muscular answer.

[15 July 2023 08:29 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

New Zealand 17-0 South Africa, 20 minutes

But Frizell makes amends! South Africa play too laterally off the top of a lineout, leaving themselves short of clearing numbers on the right. Frizell’s pilfering hands take advantage, earning a penalty for holding on.

[15 July 2023 08:28 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

New Zealand 17-0 South Africa, 18 minutes

South Africa are all over the place. Jasper Wiese lifts his eyes, picking out his target as he prepares to charge back on kick return, but shells a simple pass to him before he can build up a head of steam.

That is a stroke of luck for the Springboks, though - Wiese runs into the chasing All Blacks line anyway and draws a foolish high contact from Shannon Frizell, who should really have just let him go. Penalty to the visitors.

[15 July 2023 08:23 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

TRY! NEW ZEALAND 17-0 South Africa (Shannon Frizell try, 16 minutes)

Emphatic!

This is some first 15 minutes from the All Blacks. It’s another sensational score, Will Jordan again at the heart of things, stepping at first receiver to shimmy free and make a half-break. His toss to the left is perfectly placed, allowing Codie Taylor to hurry on to it and put Shannon Frizell away up the touchline. Three Springboks rush across to try to take down the rampaging flanker but fail in their task, Frizell steamrolling over the top of Willie le Roux to get over in the corner. Richie Mo’unga adds the extra two from the touchline - crikey!

[15 July 2023 08:23 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

New Zealand 10-0 South Africa, 15 minutes

The breeze is causing the South Africa backfield all sorts of problems. A Richie Mo’unga kick hangs inthe air and is tapped back by Mark Telea, earning the All Blacks possession again inside the Sppringboks half.

More brilliance with the boot - Beauden Barrett finds Will Jordan with a cross-kick before chipping and collecting himself!

[15 July 2023 08:21 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

New Zealand 10-0 South Africa, 13 minutes

Nearly plucked from the skies! An inelegant variation from the All Blacks, the big old up-and-under hoisted with Will Jordan in pursuit. He leaps above Willemse but can’t quite cling on to the ball with the try line five metres in front of him. Another warning sign for South Africa, though, who really can’t get to grips with their opponents’ intensity so far.

[15 July 2023 08:20 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

New Zealand 10-0 South Africa, 12 minutes

And that will cause South Africa to fret - scrum penalty number one to New Zealand. Tyrel Lomax and Ethan de Groot each get the better of Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe, drawing Mathieu Raynal’s whistle for a knee on the floor. Malherbe turns quizzically to the French referee before retreating back for the resultant lineout as New Zealand again advance.