World champions South Africa delivered a powerful first-half performance as they edged past New Zealand and levelled 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry' series at 1-1 with two Tests to play. The All Blacks travelled to Cape Town knowing a win would write them into the history books as the first New Zealand team to win back-to-back Tests in South Africa since the 'Incomparables' of 1996. South Africa dominated the basics and showed a more clinical edge, even though the lively All Blacks again outscored them on the try count by four to three.

New Zealand's fightback ultimately came too late, captain Ardie Savea barging over on 77 minutes to get the game within a score, but on the All Blacks' final attack Boks replacement Cameron Hanekom won a superb turnover that settled the nervy closing stages. As he did last week, Springboks wing Cheslin Kolbe took on the kicking duties over fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, notching up 18 points in a player-of-the-match performance. The first series in 30 years between these two mighty rugby nations is shaping into an epic, with the third Test back at altitude in Soweto, Johannesburg next Saturday.

Despite producing a famous rearguard effort in the first-Test victory at Ellis Park, New Zealand boss Dave Rennie warned in the week his side would need to 'go deeper' to cope with the inevitable Springbok backlash. That South African onslaught came from the off. Hooker Deon Fourie, at nearly 40 the oldest Springbok in history, found his target in the line-out, the South African maul powered into the 22, and lightning fast ball led to centre Jesse Kriel crashing over.

Kolbe added the extras as the world champions made the dream start. But despite the fast start from the hosts, New Zealand grew into the contest, with referee Angus Gardner, himself a late call-up in place of Nika Amashukeli, presiding over a fast and fluent game. Damian Mc Kenzie made a clean break which almost put in Will Jordan, and while the Boks killed the ball from the ensuing breakdown, Eben Etzebeth got up to spoil New Zealand's five-metre line-out.

Despite their set-piece issues, the All Blacks came again. Intricate handling freed Jordan, who used his pace and strength to escape down the right and link with the outstanding Cam Roigard. Ruben Love levelled the scores from bang in front.

That score lit a fire in the Springboks, with Kolbe kicking a penalty and Damian de Allende barrelling over after another imposing maul as South Africa showed far more ruthlessness compared to a week ago. With the Springboks dominating in the basics, the crowd in Cape Town smelt blood as the lead stretched to 17-7. But with ball in hand, Rennie's crop are reminiscent of the great All Blacks side of old.

Savea burst forward from a line-out, and perfect passing gave Mc Kenzie a walk-in. At 17-14 edging towards half-time the contest was in the balance, before a match-defining sequence just before the interval. Kolbe forced a five-metre scrum, before which Erasmus brought on two of his strongest scrummagers in Malcolm Marx and Ox Nche, who immediately won a penalty.

From there, another scrum, another penalty advantage, and with the All Blacks back-pedalling captain Siya Kolisi crashed over for South Africa's third try and a 10-point lead after a pulsating first 40. New Zealand needed to score first in the second half, and they didn't, losing the ball when in Bok territory and then giving away a soft penalty which Kolbe kicked. The All Blacks were on the ropes, Marx won a breakdown penalty, and Kolbe stretched the lead to 16 points with half an hour to go.

With the second half lacking the fireworks of the first, the All Blacks backs – led by Roigard - desperately tried to drag New Zealand back into the match. After another Mc Kenzie break led to no...