Springboks Beat All Blacks 29-24 to Take Series Lead in Soweto

The Springboks are one victory away from completing the turnaround. South Africa fought back to beat New Zealand 29-24 at FNB Stadium on Saturday, moving 2-1 ahead in the four-Test series with only the Baltimore finale still to come.

Both sides scored four tries in front of more than 85,000 spectators, but the difference came in the moments that South Africa managed better. The Bok scrum forced a penalty try before halftime, Jesse Kriel answered an All Blacks score almost immediately and Malcolm Marx finished a powerful second-half maul.

It was South Africa’s first victory over New Zealand at FNB Stadium, following defeats at the venue in 2010 and 2012.

The All Blacks Came Out Flying

New Zealand did exactly what they had threatened to do all week. They started quickly, attacked South Africa’s defensive shape and looked dangerous whenever the game became loose.

The Boks were reduced to 14 players after only 10 minutes when Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu received a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on. Ardie Savea took advantage almost immediately, finishing a quick lineout move for the opening try.

South Africa’s afternoon became even more complicated when Cheslin Kolbe was forced off early. Rassie Erasmus later confirmed that the fullback had suffered a broken jaw.

Kurt-Lee Arendse gave the home crowd something to celebrate when he finished a move created by Damian de Allende, but Savea struck again to restore New Zealand’s seven-point advantage.

The All Blacks had the Boks moving backwards during that opening spell. South Africa’s response was to slow the match down, find field position and lean on the area that eventually changed the contest.

The Scrum Pulled South Africa Back Into It

Ruben Love’s yellow card late in the first half gave the Springboks an opportunity to apply sustained pressure near the New Zealand line.

They didn’t waste it. The Bok scrum drove the All Blacks backwards over their own try line, leaving the referee with little choice but to award a penalty try. That levelled the score at 12-12 before halftime and changed the feel of the match completely.

New Zealand had produced the more explosive rugby during the opening half. South Africa still went into the break level.

That’s what this Bok team does particularly well. They don’t need to control every minute. They need enough pressure, enough territory and one or two moments where the opposition has nowhere left to go.

Kriel Answers Jordan Before Marx Takes Over

The All Blacks regained the lead in the 56th minute through Will Jordan. Jordan started the attack with a clever kick behind the South African defence before arriving in support to finish the move. It was his 54th Test try and another reminder of how quickly New Zealand can turn a small opening into points.

South Africa’s answer arrived almost immediately. Kriel broke through the defensive line and raced in from outside the New Zealand 22, with Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s conversion putting the Boks ahead for the first time.

That rapid response mattered. The All Blacks were given almost no time to enjoy their lead before the pressure returned.

The decisive score arrived nine minutes later. South Africa kicked a penalty into the corner and their maul travelled more than 20 metres before Marx finished the job.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu added a penalty to stretch the lead to 29-17. Samisoni Taukei’aho crossed after the final hooter, but the result was already beyond New Zealand’s reach.

More Than Just Forward Power

The scrum and maul produced the most obvious highlights, but this wasn’t simply a case of South Africa squeezing New Zealand into submission.

Arendse’s try came through the hands. Kriel’s score punished a defensive mistake from distance. Ethan Hooker was influential in the aerial contest and was named Player of the Match after another strong performance on the left wing.

The Boks still had to defend New Zealand’s width and speed, particularly during a frantic opening 25 minutes. They also had to reorganise their backline after losing Kolbe.

That ability to solve different problems during the same Test was arguably the most encouraging part of the victory.

South Africa can win through its set piece, but this team is becoming increasingly comfortable using width, counter-attacking opportunities and quicker ball when the space appears.

Siya Kolisi Sets Another Springbok Record

The victory was Siya Kolisi’s 55th as Springbok captain, moving him clear as the most successful Bok skipper by Test wins.

It’s another significant achievement in a career already filled with them, but Kolisi was more interested in the way his side survived New Zealand’s opening attack.

The Boks were under serious pressure early. They lost a player to the sin bin, lost Kolbe to injury and conceded two tries to Savea. Instead of allowing the match to run away from them, they reached halftime level and took control during the second half.

Injuries Change the Picture for Baltimore

Both teams paid a heavy physical price for Saturday’s Test. Kolbe will miss the final match after breaking his jaw. New Zealand will travel without Savea, whose shoulder was dislocated during the first half, while Luke Jacobson and Quinn Tupaea have also been ruled out with elbow and knee injuries respectively.

Those absences will force changes on both sides. South Africa must decide how to rebuild the back three without Kolbe, while New Zealand have to replace their captain, one of their most dangerous carriers and a player who scored twice before leaving the field in Soweto.

When Is the Fourth Springboks vs All Blacks Test?

The fourth and final Test will be played at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday, 12 September 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 23:00 SAST.

A South African win would complete a 3-1 series victory after the Boks lost the opener 33-16 at Ellis Park. An All Blacks victory would leave the four-Test contest tied at 2-2.

The Betting Read

The most important lesson from Soweto is that the final score doesn’t tell the whole story.

New Zealand were the stronger side early and created four tries, but South Africa’s scrum, maul and ability to convert pressure became increasingly influential as the match progressed. That makes the final team selections particularly important before looking at the Baltimore handicap.

Savea’s absence is a major issue for the All Blacks. He scored twice in Soweto and gives New Zealand carrying power, breakdown presence and leadership. Losing Jacobson and Tupaea further reduces Dave Rennie’s options.

South Africa have their own adjustment to make without Kolbe. His absence could affect the Bok kicking game, counter-attack and goal-kicking cover, depending on how Erasmus reshuffles the backline.

The total-points market also needs a little care. All three Tests have produced at least 49 points, while New Zealand have scored four or more tries in every match. That points towards another open contest, but a neutral venue and disrupted combinations could encourage a more conservative approach.

South Africa’s second-half performances are worth noting too. The Boks finished strongly in Cape Town and again took control after the break in Soweto. If the same bench strength is selected, second-half and live markets could offer more context than taking an early position on the match winner.

We’d wait for the confirmed teams, weather and final handicap before making a call. Our Test rugby betting guide covers the main markets and the team-news factors worth checking before placing a bet.

One More Test to Finish the Job

The Springboks have turned this series around, but they haven’t completed the job yet. New Zealand won convincingly at Ellis Park.

South Africa responded in Cape Town and then found another way to win in Soweto, combining their traditional forward power with enough attacking variety to punish the All Blacks when opportunities appeared. Baltimore now offers the Boks the chance to turn a comeback into a 3-1 series victory. After three bruising Tests, one final argument remains.

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