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Rugby World Cup | Semi-Finals
Oct 24, 2015 at 4pm UK
 
South Africa
18-20
New Zealand
FT
Kaino (6'), Barrett (52')

Half-Time Report: South Africa lead ill-disciplined New Zealand

South Africa bounce back from conceding an early try to punish New Zealand's ill-discipline by earning a 12-7 lead in the World Cup semi-final at Twickenham.

An ill-disciplined first-half display from New Zealand has allowed South Africa to earn a 12-7 lead in the World Cup semi-final at Twickenham.

A below-par start included a couple of errors when the ball was loose, and it was the Springboks who got on the board first when Handre Pollard split the posts with a penalty in just the third minute.

South Africa's fly half Handre Pollard (C) kicks the ball during a semi-final match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup between South Africa and New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium, southwest London, on October 24, 2015© Getty Images

New Zealand recovered swiftly to take charge of the game after starting a move with a quick lineout, and Richie McCaw picked the right pass at the perfect time to find Jerome Kaino, who eased past one challenge close to the touchline to slide over.

After Bryan Habana had sprinted out too early in an attempt to put off Dan Carter, the New Zealand used a second opportunity to add a conversion, before Pollard hit back with another penalty to reduce the deficit.

A fine Habana catch from a lobbed kick stretched the All Blacks, and when another penalty followed - New Zealand conceded six in the opening 22 minutes - Pollard kept his composure once again to edge South Africa in front.

Despite the errors, New Zealand enjoyed long spells with the ball but a stubborn defensive line from South Africa made space difficult to come by, before Carter summed up the frustration by striking a post with a penalty.

South Africa looked to be on course for their first try when JP Pietersen intercepted a pass with a clear path in front of him, but with play initially brought back for a New Zealand penalty, the Springboks were left disappointed when the TMO handed the decision to them after a neck roll from Brodie Retallick.

They were rewarded for persistence in defence, with Kaino's decision to kick a grounded ball while offside earning him 10 minutes in the sin-bin and handing Pollard the chance to extend the lead with his fourth penalty just before the interval.

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New Zealand's Brodie Retallick scores a try against South Africa during their Rugby Championship match on September 14, 2013
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