The Springboks outmuscled the All Blacks 29-24 in a pulsating third Test at FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday, taking a 2-1 lead in the four-match series known as Rugby's Greatest Rivalry. In front of a raucous crowd of nearly 88,000, the world champions came from behind to secure a hard-fought victory that means they cannot lose the series.
Both sides scored four tries in a bruising, high-intensity contest that showcased the best of international rugby.
First half: All Blacks strike early
New Zealand started strongly. Captain Ardie Savea powered over for the opening try in the 10th minute after a strong All Blacks attack, with Ruben Love converting for a 7-0 lead. Kurt-Lee Arendse responded for the Springboks around the 20-minute mark, but Savea struck again shortly after to put the visitors 12-5 ahead.
South Africa's powerful scrum then swung the momentum. A dominant set-piece forced a penalty try just before half-time, levelling the scores at 12-12. Savea left the field later in the half with a shoulder injury and will miss the final Test.
Second half: Forward power decides it
The All Blacks regained the lead early in the second half through record try-scorer Will Jordan, who finished a well-worked move involving Leroy Carter to make it 17-12. The Springboks hit back immediately. Jesse Kriel exploited a missed tackle by Carter and raced in unopposed, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu converting to put South Africa ahead 19-17 for the first time. From there the home side's pack took control.
A scrum penalty set up an attacking lineout, and a rolling maul surged over the line for Malcolm Marx to score in the 65th minute. Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted again to make it 26-17. A late penalty from the fly-half stretched the lead to 29-17. New Zealand refused to yield. After the full-time hooter, replacement hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho forced a consolation try, converted by Damian McKenzie, but it was too late. Final score: Springboks 29, All Blacks 24.
Series context and key performances
The series so far has seen the All Blacks win the first Test at Ellis Park 33-16, before the Springboks levelled it with a 33-26 victory in Cape Town last week. South Africa's scorers were Kurt-Lee Arendse, a penalty, Jesse Kriel and Malcolm Marx, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu adding two conversions and a penalty. New Zealand's tries came from Ardie Savea (two), Will Jordan and Samisoni Taukei'aho, with conversions by Ruben Love and Damian McKenzie.
Siya Kolisi recorded his 55th win as Springboks captain, setting a new record. Ethan Hooker was named Player of the Match in some reports for his work on both attack and defence. The result underlines the Springboks' physical dominance under Rassie Erasmus, particularly at scrum and maul time, while All Blacks showed their trademark attacking threat and resilience.
What comes next
The series concludes next Saturday with a historic fourth Test in Baltimore, USA – the first between these sides on American soil. The All Blacks must win to force a drawn series, while the Springboks have the chance to claim their first series victory over New Zealand since 1976. It was another classic chapter in rugby's greatest rivalry.