New Zealand 20 South Africa 18 Rugby World Cup 2015 semi-final

New Zealand continue their Rigby World Cup title defence by edging out South Africa 20-18 at Twickenham.

New Zealand 20 South Africa 18 Match in a minute at Twickenham where New Zealand edged past South Africa 20-18 in their Rugby world Cup semi-final to setup a final against the winner of Argentina vs Australia clash tomorrow. In just the 7th minute the All Blacks scored first through flanker Jerome Kano, eventually holding 65% possession and 72% of territory in the first-half, but South Africa defied the assault and produced eight turnovers – four Handre Pollard penalties gave them a 12-7 half-time lead. Kano was yellow carded for offside just before the interval but New Zealand were unaffected - a Dan Carter drop goal and Beauden Barrett try put them 17-12 ahead, with Bryan Habana also sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on. A Carter penalty was then sandwiched between three-pointers from Pollard, who kicked 5 from 5 but went off injured, and substitute Patrick Lambie for the Boks, whose impressive long-ranger made it 20-18. New Zealand held on to continue their quest to complete the first ever successful defence of a Rugby World Cup title. Michael McCann, Twickenham.