Springboks win series with last-minute Steyn kick

Replacement flyhalf Morne Steyn landed a 55-metre penalty in the last minute to give South Africa a 28-25 victory over the British and Irish Lions in the second test yesterday.

The Springboks took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Springbok flanker Schalk Burger was sin-binned in the first minute for gouging Luke Fitzgerald and the Lions, with a try by Mike Phillips, scored 10 points in his absence and deservedly led 16-8 at the break.

The boot of Stephen Jones stretched the lead to 19-8 as the hosts missed four kicks at goal but tries by Bryan Habana and Fourie du Preez brought them back and the scores were level going into the final moments.

Steyn held his nerve with the decisive kick from inside his own half to give the world champions revenge for their 2-1 series defeat 12 years ago.

Test results: New Zealand vs Italy 27-6; Australia vs France 22-6.