By SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA — In front of an electric, sold-out crowd of 85,967 fans at the iconic FNB Stadium, the Springboks ended more than a decade of hurt on Saturday with a dramatic 29-24 victory over the All Blacks. The breathless victory in Soweto pushes South Africa into a 2-1 series lead in the third instalment of Castle Double Malt Rugby’s ‘Greatest Rivalry’ Test series.
In what proved to be one of the most compelling and physically relentless displays of rugby seen all year, the World Champions weathered yellow cards, backline shuffling, and a rampant All Blacks counter-attack before overpowering the visitors through raw forward dominance and sharp backline brilliance in the second half.
A Frantic First Half of Drama and Discipline
The encounter began at a furious pace, with the Springboks establishing early territorial control before being hit by a disastrous double blow ten minutes in. Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was shown a yellow card for a desperate, failed intercept attempt 10 meters from his own goal line. Simultaneously, star fullback Cheslin Kolbe was forced off the pitch due to a facial injury, bringing Manie Libbok into the fray.
Capitalizing on the numerical advantage, New Zealand skipper Ardie Savea struck first from the resulting lineout, picking up from short range to cross the line and draw first blood.
Despite being down to 14 men, the Boks responded with true championship grit. Midfield maestro Damian de Allende freed his hands in heavy contact to send Kurt-Lee Arendse over in the right corner for his 26th test try in just 34 appearances.
The All Blacks struck back through Savea’s second try following a scuttling break by Leroy Carter, but the Springboks kept probing. Libbok produced a magical, long-range break from deep within his own half, brought down just centimetres short of the whitewash. New Zealand flyhalf Ruben Love was sent to the sin-bin in the ensuing pressure sequence. With the numerical advantage restored, Daan Human’s front-row engine room took over, shunting the All Black pack backward to earn a thunderous penalty try from referee Nika Amashukeli.
At the halftime whistle, after an opening 40 minutes filled with relentlessly brutal collisions and end-to-end running, nothing separated the sides at 12-12.
Forward Might and Midfield Magic Seal the Deal
Swirling, chilling winds slowed the tempo early in the second half as tactical kicking and set-piece stability came to the fore. The All Blacks briefly took the lead when Cam Roigard’s pinpoint grubber found Will Jordan, who crossed untouched to put the visitors back ahead.
However, the Springboks’ reply was swift and decisive:
- Jesse Kriel’s Moment: Just three minutes later, Jesse Kriel brushed aside a choke-tackle attempt in midfield, bursting clear for a stunning 40-meter run to the try line.
- The Bomb Squad Delivers: Feinberg-Mngomezulu added the conversion from out wide to make it 19-17. Moments later, off a pinpoint touch-finder by Libbok, the Springbok maul marched the All Blacks all the way back to their own posts, allowing Malcolm Marx to break away for his 28th Test try.
- Building the Cushion: Feinberg-Mngomezulu slotted a clutch 45-meter penalty goal against the wind to push the lead to 29-17 with ten minutes on the clock.
A late try after the final hooter by Samisoni Taukei’aho offered the All Blacks a consolation score, but it merely softened the scoreboard in a Test match thoroughly owned by South Africa in the closing stages.
Match Summary & Scoreboard
- Full-Time Score: Springboks 29–24 All Blacks (Halftime: 12–12)
- Venue: FNB Stadium, Soweto
- Attendance: 85,967
Scorers
- Springboks (29):
- Tries: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Penalty Try, Jesse Kriel, Malcolm Marx
- Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2)
- Penalties: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (1)
- All Blacks (24):
- Tries: Ardie Savea (2), Will Jordan, Samisoni Taukei’aho
- Conversions: Ruben Love (1), Damian McKenzie (1)
