Springboks rally late to beat All Blacks 31-27 for third straight time

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa cracked New Zealand late to win a gripping contest 31-27 at Ellis Park on Saturday and stay on course to win a first Rugby Championship since 2019.

The All Blacks led for almost the entire back-and-forth match, and by 10 points going into the last quarter. But they caved under relentless pressure from the Springboks, who were forcing all of the play in the last half-hour.

After All Blacks replacement prop Ofa Tu'ungfasi was yellow-carded for collapsing a maul in the 67th minute, the Springboks used the man advantage to score two converted tries in six minutes to power from 27-17 behind to 31-27 ahead with five minutes to go.

For the match-winning try, the Springboks turned down a penalty shot to force an attacking lineout, where replacement scrumhalf Grant Williams stepped through a gaping hole to score in the 74th.

“Whenever we are behind, we never panic,” Springboks captain Siya Kolisi said. "We have been in far worse positions before.

“We have so many cool heads and leaders; if I'm not talking, Eben's (Etzebeth) talking or if it's not him it's Pieter-Steph (du Toit) or even the young guys with just a couple of caps. Rugby knowledge isn't measured by the number of caps you have — if you see something, say it. And that's the great thing about this team today; we never panicked.”

The first contest between them since the Rugby World Cup final in Paris in October — 13 survivors each — lived up to the hype, but while New Zealand scored four tries to three, indiscipline let it down again. Irish referee Andrew Brace, tired of the All Blacks' indiscretions, put them on warning with half an hour to go.

The world champion Springboks have beaten New Zealand three straight times for the first time in 15 years. The teams meet again in Cape Town next Saturday. The Springboks haven't won four straight since 1949.

They lead the Rugby Championship unbeaten after three rounds, while New Zealand, champion of the last four tournaments, has a 1-2 record.

“Our indiscipline fed them,” New Zealand captain Scott Barrett said. “Frustrating to have that lead at 60-odd minutes and let them in like that.”

Within five minutes of kickoff, South Africa was a man down, after fullback Aphelele Fassi's professional foul earned him a yellow card, his second of the test season, and fourth this year. The All Blacks set up a corner lineout and drove hooker Codie Taylor over for the opening try, converted by Damian McKenzie.

The Boks were still dangerous without Fassi, and eventually hooker Bongi Mbonambi barged over from the back of a ruck. But Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu failed to make the conversion in time.

Perhaps eager to make up, he teed a penalty from 60 meters out and slotted it with room to spare at altitude. The Boks led 8-7 after 30 minutes.

But New Zealand went back in front with quick thinking; a quick throw-in lit up the backline, and Beauden Barrett and Will Jordan helped left wing Caleb Clarke score in the right corner.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu's second penalty had South Africa only 12-11 behind, and he narrowly missed a drop goal attempt on halftime.

The new half was only moments old when All Blacks midfielder Jordie Barrett intercepted and scooted 50 meters to the tryline. McKenzie's extras made it 19-11.

McKenzie and opposite Feinberg-Mngomezulu traded penalties issued from breakdowns when New Zealand pulled off a brilliant set-piece try. From a scrum tight against the left touchline, Beauden Barrett broke into space, drew the last man, and sent Clarke over for his second try.

At 27-17 ahead with 30 minutes to go, New Zealand was under warning and emptied its bench after South Africa had.

The Springboks kept killing their momentum through knock-ons, penalties or set-piece miscues, and Kolisi left for a head injury check and suspected broken cheekbone.

The All Blacks, who had won five of their last six tests in the republic, tried to bury the Springboks in the 62nd when they turned down a penalty shot. But they were turned over in the lineout.

Then Tu'ungafasi was sin-binned and South Africa pounced.

A minute later, replacement flanker Kwagga Smith drove over between the posts, then Williams followed and the sell-out crowd of 62,000 roared. Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted both tries and was six of eight off the tee in a brilliant first game against their greatest foe.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Fassi, Ben-Jason Dixon and Ruan Nortje — all playing New Zealand for the first time — were praised by coach Rassie Erasmus.

“To play New Zealand is big; to beat New Zealand is big,” Erasmus said. “For players to step up against tier one nations like Ireland and against an amazing New Zealand team is really good for our long-term plans.”

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

New Zealand's Tupou Vaa'i, left, celebrates after teammate scored a try during a rugby championship test match between South Africa and New Zealand at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

New Zealand's Caleb Clarke, right, battles for the ball with South Africa's Cheslin Kolbe during a rugby championship test match between South Africa and New Zealand at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

New Zealand's TJ Perenara, right, blocks a kick by South Africa's Cobus Reinach during a rugby championship test match between South Africa and New Zealand at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

South Africa's captain Siya Kolisi takes a selfie with fans at the end of a rugby championship test match between South Africa and New Zealand at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Players battle for the ball during a rugby championship test match between South Africa and New Zealand at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

South Africa's Aphelele Fassi, left, tackles New Zealand's Ethan Blackadder during a rugby championship test match between South Africa and New Zealand at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

New Zealand's Caleb Clarke runs to score a try during a rugby championship test match between South Africa and New Zealand at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

South Africa's Cheslin Kolbe jumps for the ball during a rugby championship test match between South Africa and New Zealand at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

South Africa's Grant Williams scores a try during a rugby championship test match between South Africa and New Zealand at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. drove in his 100th run of the season with a solo homer in the first inning, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 on Saturday.

Witt also hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth and a run-scoring double in the sixth. He went 2 for 3 to raise his MLB-leading batting average to .333. He also has 31 homers and 102 RBIs.

Michael Wacha (13-7) gave up one run in five innings to improve to 9-1 with a 2.68 ERA in 13 starts since the beginning of July. He allowed four hits, walked three and struck out eight.

The Royals won for the seventh time in nine games since a seven-game losing streak as they try to reach the postseason for the first time since winning the World Series in 2015. The Royals also assured themselves of their first winning season since 2015 by raising their record to 82-67.

Kansas City entered the day with a 2½-game lead over Minnesota for the second AL wild card. The Royals trailed first-place Cleveland by three games in the AL Central.

The Royals had five stolen bases, three by Maikol Garcia and two by Kyle Isbel.

Mitch Keller (11-10) lost for the fifth time in his last six decisions, allowing four runs — three earned — and four hits with six strikeouts and one walk. The Pirates made three errors behind Keller.

After Witt staked the Royals to the early 1-0 lead, the Royals scored twice in the fifth. Adam Frazier tripled past diving center field Oneil Cruz and scored on Garcia’s double before Witt hit a sacrifice fly.

The Pirates scored their lone run in the fifth on an RBI single by Cruz. They are 14-24 since Aug. 4.

Kansas City’s Michael Massey doubled and scored on third baseman Jared Triolo’s error in the fifth. Witt’s RBI double in the sixth made it 5-1.

Bryan Reynolds and Triolo each had two hits for the Pirates.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: RHP Chris Stratton (right forearm flexor strain) was placed on the 15-day injured list and LHP Angel Zerpa was recalled from Triple-A Omaha.

UP NEXT

The series concludes Sunday with Royals RHP Brady Singer (9-10, 3.42 ERA) facing rookie RHP Jared Jones (6-7, 3.82 ERA). Singer is 1-4 with a 5.17 ERA in his last seven starts.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Kansas City Royals' Kyle Isbel (28) scores around Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Yasmani Grandal on a error by centerfielder Oneil Cruz on a ball hit by Bobby Witt Jr. during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Joey Bart fouls off a pitch from Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Kris Bubic while breaking his bat during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller delivers during the second inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Pirates centerfielder Oneil Cruz collects himself after diving for and failing to catch a triple hit by Kansas City Royals' Adam Frazier during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. (7) hits a sacrifice fly off Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller, scoring Maikel Garcia from third, during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. (7) rounds third to greetings from third base coach Vance Wilson (25) after hitting a solo home run off Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller during the first inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)