PROGRESS SCORE: NEW ZEALAND 9 SOUTH AFRICA 8 (Click here for an update)
39: The Springbok centres are starting to look very dangerous but its the Kiwis who have the last chance before half-time. Carter attempts a drop goal but it way off and it's half-time. South Africa needed that score badly and it's all the play for in the second half.
38: Big blow for the Springboks with captain Smit out of the game with injury. Du Plessis on.
35: TRY: At last a bit of brilliance and South Africa score through a great try from, who else, but Bryan Habana. Adrian Jacobs set up centre partner Jean de Villiers who drew the full-back and unleashed Habana, who slid over from about five yards. James misses from out wide but South Africa are back in it.
33: It's absolutely pouring with rain now. No wonder the play is bogged down in the middle of the field.
30: The Kiwis are in full flow now but Carter wastes a great opportunity with a poor kick. Great chance there if he spun it out wide.
26: Van Niekerk sets up his captain with a hospital pass and the Kiwis get the penalty for offside - right in Carter's kicking zone. He kicks it and the All Blacks are out to a 9-3 lead - pretty priceless in the rain.
23: The All Blacks kicking game is their main outlet for attack. South Africa have more of the brilliance and the game breakers, but the conditions are a great leveller. The All Blacks are penalised again for offside and James can level the scores yet again. You'll see plenty of these tonight. He pushes it wide and the All Blacks still lead.
20: South Africa penalised for offside at the lineout and Carter kicks an easy goal. The rain is pelting down now. The crowd, although saturated, are in good spirits though.
18: The game is going back and forth with no real attacking intent. Conrad Jantjes makes a refreshing break for the Springboks but they lose the ball and the Kiwis come right on back. You get a feeling that tries might be at a premium tonight.
13: The Springboks pressing, rolling their mauls ever closer to the All Blacks line but they turn the ball over and tghe Kiwis get the penalty. Plenty of chances but crucial mistakes are being made.
The first 10 minutes have been brutal. Plenty of blood being spilt.
10: The All Blacks scrum looks awesome early, almost winning another against the head just then, but the home side are conceding penalties as well and the Springboks are pressing.
9: The conditions are playing their part but so was the Springbok defence on that occasion. Very slippery and a lot of dropped ball.
6: South Africa make a mistake from the kick-off and the All Blacks are back on the attack. Crisis averted as the Springboks force the scrum. But the Springboks are very nervous. The Kiwis win against the head and force another Springbok mistake. Can the Kiwis make the pressure tell?
4: And it's on. South Africa get the penalty for a high shot and the players rush in from everywhere. No punches thrown but Brad Thorn picked up one of the South Africans and dumped him on his pack. He's lucky to stay on. Butch James kicks the penalty and the scores are level.
3: The All Blacks on top early. The forwards are making great yardage and seem to be relishing the condition. Another penalty. Can Carter make amends? He makes no mistake and the All Blacks have the early lead.
2: Great start for the All Blacks. Plenty of pressure results in a kickable penalty for Carter. It's very wet under foot and the rain is pouring down. Just heard one of the light columns has been reduced to three-quarter capacity. Very dark. Unbelievable, Carter missed.
1: Butch James kicks off for the Springboks. Dan Carter eventually clears but doesn't find touch. A lot of kicking back and forth early.
Welcome to the first of our double-header tonight. We are about 30 minutes out from kick off of this Tri Nations clash. This promises to be a great game. The Springboks are at the peak of their game but, just like everyone else I suppose, don't have a great record in New Zealand. The Kiwis will be itching to perform well after their World Cup failures. Send us your thoughts, preictions and discussion points to the above email address.
Steve emails in some early thoughts: "I hope it's s a choice game. I hope we can win without Richie which will make cheat..I mean winning so much harder. I'm off to the Bondi TAB to put some hard earned on my cousins, eh!."
Just a bit of background. New Zealand have won eight Tri-Nations tournaments, including the last three, while South Africa and Australia have won only two each. South Africa won in 1998 - the last time they actually won in New Zealand - and again in 2004. The Springboks have finished last in the past seasons, although I'm sure winning the World Cup more than made up for that!
Well, not surprisingly it's pouring with rain in Wellington but there is, thankfully, no wind.
South Africa came up with a selection surprise with Joe van Niekerk in the starting line-up at No.8 but, geez, they have a strong looking forward pack, with plenty of expereience, especially with Matfield back. The Kiwis will be missing McCall and there will be a lot of pressure on new captain Rodney So'oialo.
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