It went down to the wire, but in the end South Africa was able to end New Zealand's winning streak with a late 27-25 victory on Pat Lambie's penalty kick at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. Though New Zealand had already clinched the Rugby Championship, this match brought to an end their 22-match winning streak. The match also allowed New Zealand to end their own streak--a three year drought against the world champ All Blacks; this was also the Springboks first win at Ellis Park in a decade.

The Springboks took a 21-13 lead at the half, though the All Blacks would surge in the second as they nearly completed a comeback. The first half saw the Springboks keep the ball out of the All Blacks' hands for most of the time, which was instrumental in building that first half lead. 

It truly was a chess match as each club kept making adjustments to match the other. Pollard was outstanding, beating his mark repeatedly and dodging tackles to take the ball down the pitch. His conversion was instrumental in the Springboks taking that 8 point lead into the half. 

Pollard again struck after the intermission from the kicking tee, an attempt that resulted from Jerome Kaino's take-down. But the All Blacks looked poised to keep their streak alive in the second half as Conrad Smith took advantage of the fatigued 'Boks and set up Ben Smith for a score.

With just nine minutes remaining, Coles gave the All Blacks a late one-point lead. The Springboks looked like they were about to collapse, figuratively and literally. But ultimately, the All Blacks couldn't complete the comeback and their unbeaten streak fell to South Africa. Lambie's late match heroics lifted the Springboks to their first victory over the world champs in three long years. 

"This team hates losing. It sucks really, but every now and again you have got to do it," said New Zealand coach Steve Hansen. "There is very little between these two teams and the majority of players will be around in 12 months at the Rugby World Cup."