South Africa rallied from a deficit to defeat New Zealand 29‑24 in a hard‑fought third Test, pulling ahead 2‑1 in the storied "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry" series with just one match left to play. The encounter, held in front of a packed Soweto stadium that held 87,976 spectators, was a roller‑coaster of attack and defence, featuring four tries for each side and a penalty try that tipped the balance in the Springboks' favour. The Springboks' scoring came from a trio of backs—Kurt‑Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel and Malcolm Marx—who each touched down, while a penalty try awarded after a sustained scrum infringement added a crucial five points.
Their victory followed a razor‑thin win in Cape Town the previous week, underscoring South Africa's ability to grind out results under pressure. New Zealand’s captain, Ardie Savea, opened the scoring with a first‑half try, showcasing his power and speed.
He added a second try just five minutes later, but his night was cut short when a shoulder injury forced him off the field. The All Blacks then relied on veteran try‑scorer Will Jordan, who notched his 54th Test try early in the second half, and hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho, who added a late consolation try as the match drew to a close.
The contest was a classic clash of styles: the Springboks’ forward dominance pitted against the All Blacks’ fluid, running game. New Zealand started brightly, exploiting quick line‑out moves and the athleticism of their backline. Savea’s first try came after a swift line‑out that saw Asafo Aumua break through the South African defence, only to be finished by the captain in the corner.
However, the Springboks responded swiftly. Arendse dove over after a powerful carry from Damian de Allende created space for Leroy Carter, who then passed to the corner where Arendse grounded the ball. Just before halftime, Savea struck again, gathering a loose ball after Carter sprinted down the left wing. His second try seemed to cement New Zealand’s lead, but fate intervened when Savea suffered a shoulder injury that ended his participation.
South Africa’s relentless scrum pressure forced the referee to award a penalty try at the stroke of the break, leveling the scores and shifting momentum. In the second half, Jordan restored New Zealand’s advantage with a well‑timed run that resulted in his 54th Test try. Yet the Springboks were not to be denied. Kriel capitalised on a missed tackle by Carter, darting through a gap and diving over for a try that reignited South Africa’s hopes.
The turning point arrived when Marx, operating from a maul close to the try line, powered over for his own score, further extending the lead. The final minutes saw the All Blacks attempt a comeback, with Taukei'aho crossing for a late try that ultimately proved only a consolation as South Africa held firm. The Springboks sealed the win with a penalty from young kicker Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu, pushing the final tally to 29‑24.
After the match, South African captain Siya Kolisi reflected on the effort: "We're so proud of the win today. It was a great game from the All Blacks.
They pushed us to the limit, they came like a house on fire. That first 25 minutes, our lungs were pumping hard. We did so well to make sure we didn't concede more points and fight back.
The way we finished at the end was a lot better than we did the last two weeks. We play for ourselves, for the Springboks, but most importantly, we play for the people of South Africa.
We represent each and every single person here. We're thankful and grateful that we have the privilege, not pressure, to be able to change people's moods and make them feel good." The series now moves to Baltimore, USA, for the decisive fourth Test, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. With the Springboks holding a narrow series advantage, the All Blacks will need a win to level the contest and avoid a series defeat.
Both teams will be looking to fine‑tune their strategies—South Africa hoping to maintain their forward dominance and defensive resilience, and New Zealand seeking to re‑ignite their attacking flair while compensating for the loss of Savea. Fans can follow the live action via Sky Sports' streaming platform, with recommendations to use the Chrome browser for the best video experience. The match also highlights the broader appeal of international rugby, as the rivalry between the Springboks and the All Blacks continues to captivate audiences worldwide, offering a blend of physicality, skill, and national pride that defines the sport at its highest level.