New Zealand 23-13 South Africa: Defending champions hold off spirited Springboks
Defending champions New Zealand produced a clinical display to hold off a spirited South Africa in their World Cup Pool B opener in Yokohama.
South Africa play Namibia next on Saturday, 28 September , while the All Blacks face Canada on 2 October .Both countries are expected to make the latter stages of this tournament and they both impressed in a thoroughly entertaining Test match. Sevu Reece skipped past opposite number Mapimpi moments later, in a move which ended with Beauden Barrett - who moved from full-back to first receiver on turnover ball - exploiting a gap in the Springbok defence to feed Bridge for the first try.
Pollard's composed drop-goal brought them even closer, but despite making more metres than the All Blacks , a lack of cutting edge in attack will be a disappointment for Rassie Erasmus' side. "They're never out of it, they're always a team that comes back. The players took their opportunities and scored.""Obviously New Zealand won't be totally happy with the performance. There will be things they want to work on.
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