THE battle of Twickenham between New Zealand and South Africa left broken teeth, black eyes and stitches, but All Black warhorse Dan Carter escaped the carnage to see the All Blacks through to a fourth World Cup final.

    Carter, the highest scorer in Test rugby, kicked 10 points, including a crucial drop goal in a second half resurgence, as New Zealand fought back from 12-7 down to beat the Springboks 20-18 Saturday.

    The win under driving rain at Twickenham also took New Zealand a step closer to their ambition of becoming the first country to win three World Cup titles and the first to claim two in a row.

    They will face the winners of second semifinal between Australia and Argentina next week.

    Defeat left the Springboks nursing badly wounded pride and injured faces they will not forget in a hurry — symbols of the harshly fought clash.

    South African captain Fourie du Preez, 33, said he had probably played his last Test after suffering a broken tooth and badly swollen cheekbone and eye.

    The battle between two of the biggest rivals in rugby went down to the wire with never more than five points difference between the two teams.

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

    And the All Blacks were punished early on for a string of errors.

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

    Pollard got his first three points with just three minutes gone. Though Kaino got a try, New Zealand’s indiscipline left them 9-7 down after 20 minutes.

    Carter’s heroics and Barrett’s try set up the game for a tense finish. But New Zealand held on in the rain.

    New Zealand coach Steve Hansen praised his side’s “composure” under pressure but expressed concern about the 13 penalties conceded during the game — including nine in the first half when Pollard did most damage.

    Lood de Jager, one of the young stars of the South Africa squad which fought back from losing their opening game to Japan, said there was a grim changing room atmosphere.

    (SD-Agencies)