A late try to Grant Williams try sealed a stunning South Africa comeback to defeat the All Blacks 31-27 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
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The Springboks trailed at the break and were 27-17 down at one point, but New Zealand prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi's 69th-minute sin-bin helped the hosts find victory.
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There was also TJ Perenara getting pinged for yelling in the direction of referee Andrew Brace and plenty of other infractions by the New Zealand team which need to be stopped before the second test in Cape Town.
The Scott Robertson coached New Zealand side had an opportunity to push the score further, turning down a penalty kick at goal when they were ahead 27-17.
The All Blacks scored four tries – one more than the Springboks – but fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's kicking proved crucial as he provided 16 points with the boot.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu was successful with four penalties and two conversions in a high-intensity match which was a repeat of last year's World Cup final.
New Zealand led 12-11 at half-time with Codie Taylor and Caleb Clarke scoring tries either side of Bongi Mbonambi going over for the hosts despite the fact it seemed he knocked the ball on in a bid to score.
No official stepped in with the TMO keeping quiet on a try which had even South African supporters gasping.
The visitors gained a 10-point advantage when Jordie Barrett raced away to score from an intercept from a Jessie Kriel pass and then Clarke doubled his tally in the second half.
The home side had Kwagga Smith crashed over under the posts and Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted before Williams came off the bench to decide the encounter with five minutes on the clock.
Springboks 31 (Bongi Mbonambi, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams tries; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 2 con, 4 pen) All Blacks 27 (Caleb Clarke 2, Codie Taylor, Jordie Barrett tries; Damian McKenzie 2 con, pen). HT: 11-12
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