A tale of two games – one full of drama and intrigue, the other plodding and uninspired. Little changed in the grand scheme of things, but an upset seems imminent.

NEW ZEALAND 29 vs 15 SOUTH AFRICA
Saturday, September 14, 07:35 GMT, Auckland

It’s generally poor form to criticize the referee, and petulant to blame one for a loss, but one could be forgiven for allowing Heyneke Meyer a moment of complaint after two highly questionable yellow cards deprived his team of star hooker Bismarck du Plessis in only the 42nd minute of the match. The first looked an entirely legitimate tackle that put Dan Carter out of the contest with a heavy shoulder bang. The second was for an elbow that many referees might have let go completely, and one feels was at worst a penalty.

Grievances aside, the game was played with frightening ferocity. The field looked like a war zone at times, bodies scattered left and right, and the scars of battle were evident on the faces of the players at the final whistle. The supposed superiority of the Springbok forwards was deflated as time and again they were met with numbers on the gainline. An equally exciting and frustrating spectacle, it sets up a tasty rematch at Ellis Park on October 5.

SCORING
New Zealand – D. Carter 1c, B. Barrett 2c 1p, K. Read 2t, B. Retallick 1t, S. Cane 1t
South Africa – M. Steyn 1c 1p, B. du Plessis 1t, P. Lambie 1t

CARDS
New Zealand – K. Read yellow (71), M. Nonu yellow (74)
South Africa – B. du Plessis yellow (16) yellow (42) red (42)

NEW ZEALAND
I. Dagg (C. Piutau HT); B. Smith, C. Smith, M. Nonu, J. Savea (T. Kerr-Barlow 74); D. Carter (B. Barrett 16), A. Smith; T. Woodcock (W. Crockett 70), D. Coles (K. Mealamu 51), O. Franks (C. Faumuina 65); B. Retallick, S. Whitelock; L. Messam (S. Luatua 61), S. Cane (M. Todd 31-HT, 71-75), K. Read (capt.).

SOUTH AFRICA
Z. Kirchner (P. Lambie 74); W. le Roux (J. Serfontein 69-74), J.J. Engelbrecht, J. de Villiers (capt.), B. Habana; M. Steyn, R. Pienaar (J. Vermaak 70); T. Mtawarira (G. Steenkamp 55-71), B. du Plessis, J. du Plessis (C. Oosthuizen 55); E. Etzebeth, F. van der Merwe (J. Kruger HT); F. Louw (S. Kolisi 74), W. Alberts (A. Strauss 19-26, 44), D. Vermeulen.

AUSTRALIA 14 vs 13 ARGENTINA
Saturday, September 14, 10:05 GMT, Perth

Poor weather at the Subiaco Oval drowned out any chance of the free-flowing rugby we had hoped for, and truth be told it was a pretty dull encounter. Each side took advantage of the wind in their half to score a try, and a single point was the difference as both kickers had difficulty with the conditions. For the most part the match was played up front with tactical kicking dominating field position.

The Pumas will be desperately disappointed at missing a golden opportunity, but must now be considered favourites to win at home on October 5. Australia will be relieved to escape with the narrow victory after leading 14-3 at the half. They now begin an arduous road trip first to Cape Town, then to Rosario, and all indications are that they will be lucky to come away with a victory against much hungrier competition.

SCORING
Australia – C. Leali’ifano 3p, I. Folau 1t
Argentina – N. Sanchez 1c 2p, J.M. Leguizamon 1t

AUSTRALIA
I. Folau; J. O’Connor, A. Ashley-Cooper, C. Leali’ifano, N. Cummins; Q. Cooper (M. To’omua 65), N. White; J. Slipper (S. Sio 46), S. Moore (S. Fainga’a 65), B. Alexander (S. Kepu 60); R. Simmons, K. Douglas (S. Timani 51); S. Fardy (B. McCalman 63), M. Hooper, B. Mowen (capt.).

ARGENTINA
J.M. Hernandez; H. Agulla (L. Gonzalez Amorosino 52), G. Tiesi (S. Fernandez 73), F. Contepomi, J. Imhoff; N. Sanchez, T. Cubelli (M. Landajo 65); M. Ayerza (N. Lobo 75), A. Creevy (E. Guinazu 52), J. Figallo; M. Carizza, J. Farias Cabello (M. Galarza 57); J. Fernandez Lobbe (capt.), P. Matera, J.M. Leguizamon.