NEW ZEALAND 23 SOUTH AFRICA 13

The hype leading into this critical Pool B encounter at Yokohama International Stadium was huge as this game was going to have a massive bearing on the shape of the tournament.

The forecast rain never arrived but the intense, high skilled, ferocious contest did. It was an epic encounter where the All Blacks took control of the game mid-way through the first half with a six minute blitz that saw them create two brilliant tries.

The Boks were 17-3 behind at the break but stormed back into contention with a try and a penalty when they held the ball for longer.

Under pressure, the All Blacks regrouped and closed out the game with a controlled and disciplined performance that saw them kick relentlessly from halfback and turn the Boks around and force them to run from deep.

The tactic was perfect and showed the variety in the All Blacks' game.