Summary

  • New Zealand beat South Africa 23-13 in opening pool B game in Yokohama

  • George Bridge and Scott Barrett tries gave All Blacks 17-3 half-time lead

  • Pieter-Steph du Toit scored as Springboks rallied in second half

  • Richie Mo'unga & Barrett penalties secured victory for champions

  • All Blacks remain unbeaten in World Cup group matches

  • Earlier France edged out Argentina after Australia beat Fiji

  1. Day of rest?published at 13:02 British Summer Time 21 September 2019

    Eddie JonesImage source, Getty Images

    We will be back tomorrow with another three matches and the home nations getting their knees dirty.

    First up is Italy v Namibia (06:15 BST) with 5 Live radio commentary.

    Then Ireland and Scotland cross swords at 08:45 BST. There will be live text commentary of that as well as radio.

    And finally England kick-off their campaign against Tonga at 11:15 BST.

    See you there.

  2. 'Hansen never gets flustered'published at 12:57 British Summer Time 21 September 2019

    FT: New Zealand 23-13 South Africa

    Tana Umaga
    Former New Zealand captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

    New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen keeps things very simple. He makes sure you understand your role and makes sure you keep backing yourself. He doesn't get flustered and that's one of his strengths as well. There's probably times this year when they have been frustrated but he doesn't show that.

    All BlacksImage source, Getty Images
  3. 'Hansen is so calm'published at 12:56 British Summer Time 21 September 2019

    FT: New Zealand 23-13 South Afrcia

    Bobby Skinstad
    Former South Africa captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Hansen has had the experience over 10 years, and the conversation this week was on referees and so on but Hansen is the guy to always say the right thing. It makes such a difference when you have that calming experience in your set-up.

  4. 'A titanic struggle'published at 12:56 British Summer Time 21 September 2019

    FT: New Zealand 23-13 South Africa

    Steve HansenImage source, Getty Images

    New Zealand coach Steve Hansen: Today was a big game for both sides and fortunately for us we came out on top, but it was another titanic struggle between New Zealand and South Africa and hopefully people got excited by it.

    They're never out of it, they're always a team that comes back. The players took their opportunities and scored.

  5. 'All Blacks have things to work on'published at 12:54 British Summer Time 21 September 2019

    FT: New Zealand 23-13 South Africa

    Tana Umaga
    Former New Zealand captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Obviously New Zealand won't be totally happy with the performance. There will be things they want to work on. They need to make sure they get what they need out of these last three games before the quarter-finals. They'll give opportunities to some players and bring them up to speed. There's plenty to play for in these next three games.

  6. Full-time statspublished at 12:54 British Summer Time 21 September 2019

    FT: New Zealand 23-13 South Africa

    New Zealand-South Africa

    Possession: 47%-53%

    Territory: 41%-59%

    Metres made: 367-372

    Defenders beaten: 35-28

    Tackles made/attempted: 86/114-72/107

    Turnovers conceded: 12-18

    Penalties conceded: 4-9

  7. 'Kolbe was best Springbok player'published at 12:52 British Summer Time 21 September 2019

    FT: New Zealand 23-13 South Africa

    Bobby Skinstad
    Former South Africa captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Cheslin Kolbe made the decision to move out of sevens and play Tests. A lot of people said "bad idea", but he was the player of the season in France and the player of this match in green and gold.

    He is strong, big shoulders for a guy of his size. Jason Robinson was probably the closest (to him) with that step and go on the outside.

  8. Kolbe the entertainerpublished at 12:46 British Summer Time 21 September 2019

    FT: New Zealand 23-13 South Africa

    Tana Umaga
    Former New Zealand captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Cheslin Kolbe is a pocket rocket. He's the kind of player that makes people come and watch. He's small but he's just so powerful and he gives his whole heart. That's the biggest thing, he loves the game.

    Cheslin KolbeImage source, Getty Images
  9. Postpublished at 12:44 British Summer Time 21 September 2019

    FT: New Zealand 23-13 South Africa

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    Is there something not quite right in New Zealand's conditioning? Or how they use their bench?

    A fair old sample size flagged up here.

  10. Postpublished at 12:42 British Summer Time 21 September 2019

    Bobby Skinstad
    Former South Africa captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

    The All Blacks were clinical when they had the opportunities, South Africa created the opportunities but could not take them. The All Blacks created the rub of the green, they didn't just get it.

    Week in week out at the World Cup the players will get ice baths and people to look after them, and they will need them.

    When I played, Tana was one of the biggest centres in world rugby - he would be a bit-part player now! That's the worrying thing!

  11. Postpublished at 12:38 British Summer Time 21 September 2019

    Get Involved
    #bbcrugby

    Henry Ellison: Cheslin Kolbe has been electric. If any of South Africa could keep up with him or stay on his shoulder then they would have won this match. Been a bit sloppy and NewZealand have just done enough to win.

    saidmadrid: Savea MOTM without shadow of the doubt, crucial in defence and attack

    JElston: Does anyone know the last time All Blacks lost the final 20 minutes of a match?

  12. Postpublished at 12:37 British Summer Time 21 September 2019

    Tana Umaga
    Former New Zealand captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

    There were a lot of question marks coming into this game about the All Blacks and the form they were carrying in. They've proven that they're on top of their game but they've still got some improvements to make.

  13. Full-timepublished at 12:37 British Summer Time 21 September 2019

    New Zealand 23-13 South Africa

    New Zealand underline their champion credentials and their status as favourites.

    Death, taxes and the world's best finding a way in the biggest games.

    South Africa will know that it could have been very different but for a three-minute spell in which they committed a load of errors and conceded two tries.

    New Zealand 23-13 South AfricaImage source, Reuters
  14. Postpublished at 80 mins

    New Zealand 23-13 South Africa

    South Africa have a penalty inside their own half with the final play of the game.

    Handre Pollard hoofs upfield. A lineout inside the New Zealand 10m and a chance of consolation score.

  15. Postpublished at 12:33 British Summer Time 21 September 2019

    New Zealand 23-13 South Africa

    Bobby Skinstad
    Former South Africa captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

    The All Blacks have proved they can turn that into points, South Africa are doing 90% of the work but it is that 10% that makes all the difference.

  16. Postpublished at 12:33 British Summer Time 21 September 2019

    Tana Umaga
    Former New Zealand captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

    New Zealand have come back very well. Those forwards have been running good lines off each other, with good interchanges of passes. Hopefully both teams will improve going forward.

  17. Postpublished at 78 mins

    New Zealand 23-13 South Africa

    New Zealand are finishing this match up in the South Africa 22m, probing for a scoreline polishing try.

    Nope, a knock-on. Beauden Barrett is named man of the match. I think Anton Lienert-Brown was pretty useful in midfield.

  18. Postpublished at 12:31 British Summer Time 21 September 2019

    Gareth Lewis
    BBC Radio 5 live commentator in Yokohama

    That looks bad enough to be World Cup ending for Nyakane. He can't put any weight on that leg.

  19. Postpublished at 12:31 British Summer Time 21 September 2019

    Tana Umaga
    Former New Zealand captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Cheslin Kolbe is outstanding. He came out in the newspaper the other day and said that he was about 18 when his uncle told him he was too small and that he'd never make it as an international. He's been brilliant today.

    Cheslin KolbeImage source, Getty Images
  20. Postpublished at 77 mins

    New Zealand 23-13 South Africa

    Injury worries for South Africa as we hit a break in play.

    Trevor Nyakane is carried from the pitch and that might be a leg injury to end his tournament.

    Cheslin Kolbe has turned his ankle, but continues regardless.