Rugby Championship: South Africa draw with New Zealand after late Herschel Jantjies try

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New Zealand's Beauden Barrett is tackled by South Africa's Lukhanyo AmImage source, AFP
Image caption,

New Zealand's Beauden Barrett made the break which resulted in Jack Goodhue's try

Rugby Championship

New Zealand (7) 16

Tries: Goodhue Cons: Barrett Pens: Barrett, Mo'unga 2

South Africa (6) 16

Tries: Jantjies Cons: Pollard Pens: Pollard 3

Herschel Jantjies scored a late try as South Africa fought back to claim a 16-16 draw with New Zealand and continue to lead in the Rugby Championship.

The other round two game saw Australia beat Argentina 16-10 in Brisbane.

The All Blacks led 16-9 as replacement scrum-half Jantjies, who had two tries on his debut in last week's win over Australia, crossed at the death.

Handre Pollard added the conversion to tie the game and keep the Springboks top of the table with one round to go.

All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick suffered a dislocated shoulder in Wellington but is expected to be fit in time for the World Cup, which starts in Japan on 20 September.

With this year's competition shortened to three rounds due to the World Cup, South Africa can win the Rugby Championship for the first time if they beat Argentina in Salta on Saturday, 10 August (20:40 BST).

Pollard kicked two early penalties at Westpac Stadium before Jack Goodhue's converted try gave the three-time defending champions a 7-6 lead at half-time.

Beauden Barrett stretched the hosts' lead with a penalty, while Jantjies came on early in the second half as the Springboks lost Faf de Klerk to a head injury assessment.

A Pollard penalty cut the deficit before All Blacks fly-half Richie Mo'unga took over the kicking duties from Barrett, adding two penalties to make it 16-9.

But on 79 minutes the Springboks found Cheslin Kolbe on the right and he chipped over for Jantjies to touch down, with the television match official ruling there was no knock-on as Jantjies challenged for the ball with Aaron Smith.

Pollard held his nerve to make the kick from out wide and keep South Africa above New Zealand due to last week's bonus-point win in Johannesburg.

Lealiifano back from leukaemia in Wallabies win

Image source, Getty Images
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Fly-half Christian Lealiifano played 51 minutes in his first game for Australia since June 2016

Rugby Championship

Australia (10) 16

Tries: Hodge Cons: Lealiifano Pens: Lealiifano 3

Argentina (3) 10

Tries: Isa Cons: Sanchez Pens: Sanchez

Australia bounced back from that first round 35-17 loss to beat Argentina in Brisbane, with Christian Lealiifano scoring 11 points in his first Test for three years after being diagnosed with leukaemia in August 2016.

The Brumbies fly-half and Argentinian Nicolas Sanchez exchanged penalties before Reece Hodge finished off a fine set-piece move from an Australia scrum to claim a 31st-minute try.

Lealiifano converted before adding two second-half penalties, while James O'Connor, who has spent the last two seasons with Sale Sharks, came off the bench to play his first Test since 2013 having agreed to rejoin Queensland Reds.

The Pumas gave themselves hope as Facundo Isa burrowed over for a late converted try but the hosts could afford for Matt Toomua to send a penalty wide.

The Wallabies have the opportunity to finish above New Zealand as they face the All Blacks in Perth on Saturday, 10 August (12:45 BST).

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