McCaw’s try keeps All Blacks’ record intact

Captain Richie McCaw scored a second-half try to help the All Blacks maintain their five-year unbeaten record in New Zealand with a tense 14-10 victory over a combative Springboks side in the Rugby Championship.

McCaw was the beneficiary of a pin-point cross-kick from Aaron Cruden that was hauled in by number eight Kieran Read who fed his skipper who dived over in the corner.

Cruden slotted two penalties for the home side while Beauden Barrett added another after he replaced Cruden late in the second half to give the home side 16 points at the top of the Rugby Championship table. South Africa are on 10.

Rookie South Africa flyhalf Handre Pollard repaid the faith shown in him by coach Heyneke Meyer by setting up Cornal Hendricks’ first-half try with a brilliant inside pass, converting and slotting in a long-range drop goal.

The All Blacks have been unbeaten in New Zealand for five years – a run of 36 successive tests – last losing at home to South Africa in Hamilton on September 12, 2009.