Rugby World Cup: Dan Carter Shines as New Zealand Beat South Africa in Tense Semi-Final Game

Dan Carter anchored New Zealand to a 20-18 victory over South Africa to reach the World Cup final at the end of a bruising clash at Twickenham on Saturday. (Read More in Other Sports)

With the All Blacks down 12-7 at half-time, and Jerome Kaino in the sin-bin, Carter snapped a neat field goal to start an All Blacks revival.

The defending champions followed with a try to Beauden Barrett to continue their domination of South Africa. With one key rival out of the way, New Zealand now play the winner of Sunday's clash between Australia and Argentina in the final.

In the pressured Twickenham atmosphere, the match went down to the wire with never more than five points in it. "I guess we did it the hard way today, but that was always going to be the case against the Springboks," New Zealand captain Richie McCaw said.

"We wanted to make our country proud and we didn't," commented Heyneke Meyer after the defeat.

The battle was a far different game to the All Blacks's 62-13 thrashing of France in the quarter-finals.

This was hand-to-hand combat. Francois Louw ensuring South Africa had an edge at the breakdown, with the All Blacks holding the upper hand with lineout steals.

The wet weather did not help either side trying to kick for territory.

The All Blacks were punished early for a lack of discipline in the first half but tidied up their game as replacements were made in the second half.

They scored an early try to Jerome Kaino while Barrett scored in the second half with Carter adding two conversions, a penalty along with his drop goal.

South Africa were forced to rely on the boot of Handre Pollards who landed five penalties before he was replaced with 15 minutes to go by Pat Lambie who also kicked a penalty.