Captain Sam Cane and hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho also scored tries as New Zealand silenced the 61,519 crowd to claim what will be considered a famous win after losing five of their previous six tests.
The Springboks weren’t as clinical as they had been in last week’s 26-10 win over the visitors, as they scored tries via superb center Lukhanyo Am and winger Makazole Mapimpi, but they faced opponents who had improved greatly.
Whether the win is enough to save Foster’s job will become clear in the coming days, as the All Blacks prepare to host Argentina in their next Rugby Championship clash on August 27, while the Boks travel to Australia on the same day.
The All Blacks were better at scrum, breakdown and under the high ball, all areas they had struggled with in Nelspruit seven days ago.
“Proud is an understatement,” Cane said during the post-match presentation. “Adversity really challenges your character and this group has it. We had to get a few parts of our game right because this is one of the hardest places in the world to come and play.
“We were a lot better at bad luck and we handled the contestables better. We defended the maul well. That’s what test footy is all about, getting the little things right to build pressure.”
It took until the 25th minute for New Zealand to open the score on a penalty, but the Kiwis then accelerated to a 15-0 lead.
They maintained possession after a break from Caleb Clarke and Cane led the corner before Taukei’aho charged in from close range after relentless pressure.
However, the Boks had a good chance close to the half as Am showed plenty of strength to beat Clarke’s tackle and score, and flyhalf Handre Pollard landed a 55-yard penalty that sailed through the Highveld air to make it 15-10. to do during the break.
The teams exchanged penalties before the Boks scored their second try, a signature sample from Malcolm Marx at the disturbance saw Damian Willemse drive a long pass for Mapimpi to cross into the corner.
The Boks first took the lead in the 68th minute after Beauden Barrett tackled scrum half Jaden Hendrikse without the ball in his own 22 and was shown a yellow card.
But despite being a man behind, the All Blacks produced a big finish as Havili and Barrett went down to complete the win.
“The game was fast in the first half and we couldn’t give them a game plan,” said South African captain Siya Kolisi.
“We could have worked harder there. We knew it only took them a few moments to make it count and they did. Congratulations to them.”
All blacks 28 (Sam Cane, Sam Taukei’aho, David Havili, Scott Barrett Tries; Richie Mo’unga 3 cons, 3 pens)
South Africa 23 (Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi tries; Handre Pollard 2 cons, 3 pens)
Rest: 15-10