Player ratings: The hard way
Any win will do at this stage of the competition but the All Blacks were dominated in the scrums and their ill-discipline allowed the Springboks to remain in the contest throughout the 80 minutes.
There is no doubt they looked the more attacking side and grabbed the only tries of the match, either side of half-time – the second try by replacement Beauden Barrett handing the All Blacks the lead for the first time in the match since the 20th minute, a lead they did not relinquish.
Tauriq Ebrahim rates the All Blacks!
15 Ben Smith
Even though he may not have grabbed any points, he showed all his class by making an impact on the game – be it at fullback or wing.
9/10
14 Nehe Milner-Skudder
Had the odd run that allowed him to gain plenty of metres but, for the most part, he was kept quite.
6/10
13 Conrad Smith
Another quiet game by his high standards, yet his mere presence and experience seems to be enough to keep him going.
5/10
12 Ma'a Nonu
Stuck to the basics on attack and defence and showed all his experience when he sent Barrett over in the corner.
7/10
11 Julian Savea
Just like his hero Jonah Lomu, The Bus had his wheels taken away and failed to get through the green and gold gates.
4/10
10 Daniel Carter
His tactical kicking was something to behold and decision making was on a different level. There's a reason he is the best in the business.
8/10
9 Aaron Smith
Smooth and brisk service was the order of the day for the Jack Russel and he certainly knows how to "handle" the officials.
8/10
8 Kieran Read
Flirted with danger throughout the match and made plenty of mistakes. However, he did not allow it to affect his game as he remained a menace.
6/10
7 Richie McCaw (captain)
He may not be the flashiest player or the first to every breakdown but when he gets there, he makes his presence known. His leadership is second to none.
8/10
6 Jerome Kaino
Was the stand-out loose forward in all facets of the game until his cynical foul saw him being sin-binned but he picked up where he left off when he returned.
6/10
5 Samuel Whitelock
Used all his experience to steal a few line-outs while he was not afraid to mix it up in the contact area as well.
7/10
4 Brodie Retallick
Showed why he received the World Player of the Year award in 2014 by using more than just his physicality to gain the upperhand.
7/10
3 Owen Franks
Offered very little resistance at scrum time and seemed to have affected his performance in other areas.
3/10
2 Dane Coles
His anchor was not properly grounded at scrum time and finds himself doing the job of a wing far too often.
5/10
1 Joe Moody
Had no answer to the Springboks' dominant scrum and failed to make a significant contribution elsewhere.
3/10
Replacements:
16 Keven Mealamu (on for Coles, 67 mins)
Not enough time to be rated.
17 Ben Franks (on for Moody, 69 mins)
Not enough time to be rated.
18 Charlie Faumuina (on for O Franks, 52 mins)
Had to settle himself very quickly to gain the upperhand in the scrums and managed to do so, after being manhandled by Trevor Nyakane.
4/10
19 Victor Vito
Not used.
20 Sam Cane (on for Kaino, 67 mins)
Not enough time to be rated.
21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow
Not used.
22 Beauden Barrett (on for Milner-Skudder, 49 mins)
His match awareness and threat on attack was evident as he popped up in the right place at the right time on many occasions.
7/10
23 Sonny Bill Williams (on for Nonu, 52 mins)
Took over the attacking role with both hands and looked like he could have scored at anytime, had it not been for some big tackles.
7/10
