The short version
- South Africa defeated New Zealand in the third Test to take a 2-1 lead in the series.
- Set-piece dominance and late tries secured the victory despite an early injury to All Blacks captain Ardie Savea.
- The teams will meet for a decisive fourth and final match in Baltimore next weekend.
South Africa has taken control of its high-stakes series against New Zealand, securing a crucial victory in the third Test played before a massive crowd in Soweto. The win shifts the momentum firmly toward the Springboks, who now hold a 2-1 advantage heading into the final encounter. While the All Blacks displayed considerable skill and composure in the opening stages, they were ultimately unable to withstand the physical pressure exerted by the world champions in the latter half of the contest.
The match began with intense emotion and high stakes, fueled by Springbok captain Siya Kolisi’s call to honor the history of the Soweto uprising and national pride stung by previous criticisms from New Zealand coach Dave Rennie regarding South African scrummaging. Despite this charged atmosphere, the All Blacks initially managed to neutralize the home side’s aggressive start through clever tactical adjustments. They minimized the impact of South Africa’s set-piece strength by using fast strikes from hooker Asafo Aumua and incorporating Peter Lakai as a jumping option at line-outs.
New Zealand capitalized on early opportunities, with Ardie Savea scoring two tries in the first half after exploiting defensive gaps created by South African errors. One notable moment involved a yellow card for Springbok fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, which allowed the visitors to score from a penalty. The absence of Cheslin Kolbe, who left the field with a head knock, further dampened South African confidence early on. However, the hosts responded by tightening their discipline and leveraging their forward power.
The turning point in the first half came when South Africa’s front row enforced strict physical dominance, leading to a penalty try that leveled the score at halftime. Kurt-Lee Arendse also crossed for a try after sustained pressure from the Springbok pack forced repeated infringements from the All Blacks. Although New Zealand pulled back within striking distance through quick ball movement and effective use of their second rows, the structural advantage held by South Africa’s scrum began to tell.
The second half saw New Zealand briefly take the lead when Will Jordan scored a try in the 55th minute, capitalizing on a turnover. This moment offered hope for a historic victory on South African soil, a feat achieved only once before in 1996. However, the All Blacks’ advantage was short-lived. Jesse Kriel responded almost immediately by breaking through the defense to restore parity, marking the first time South Africa led in the match.
From that point onward, South Africa’s physical superiority proved decisive. Malcolm Marx scored a try from a powerful maul after scrum pressure forced New Zealand into errors. Feinberg-Mngomezulu added crucial points with conversions and penalties, extending the lead to 12 points by the 70th minute. The absence of Savea, who was forced off with a shoulder injury in the first half, left New Zealand without their primary leadership and attacking threat during this critical phase.
Despite a late try from Samisoni Taukei'aho, New Zealand could not close the gap. The final score reflected South Africa’s ability to impose their will through set-piece dominance and defensive resilience. The crowd of nearly 86,000 celebrated enthusiastically, underscoring the significance of the result in what many view as an unofficial championship series.
The series concludes next weekend in Baltimore, where New Zealand must win to force a draw or secure a series victory. The All Blacks face the challenge of replicating their early-game adaptability while containing South Africa’s forward power. For the Springboks, maintaining momentum and avoiding complacency will be key as they seek to complete the series sweep on neutral ground.
This match highlighted the contrasting styles of both teams: New Zealand’s agility and tactical innovation versus South Africa’s brute strength and set-piece precision. While the All Blacks showed they can compete at a high level, their inability to sustain performance against relentless physical pressure proved costly. The upcoming final in the United States promises to be a compelling conclusion to a tightly contested series.
Analysts note that the result reinforces South Africa’s status as world champions while exposing vulnerabilities in New Zealand’s ability to handle prolonged physical contests. The outcome may influence future strategies for both teams, particularly regarding scrum engagement and defensive organization. As the rugby world watches, the stakes remain high for national pride and legacy.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗South Africa finish strongly to take 2-1 series lead against All Blacks
