South Africa rallied from an early deficit to clinch a 29-24 victory over New Zealand in a fiercely contested third Test, propelling the Springboks to a 2-1 advantage in the storied "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry" series with just one match remaining. The encounter, staged before a packed crowd of 87,976 spectators in Soweto, was a roller‑coaster of attacks, with both sides crossing the try line four times each, delivering a spectacle that was as brutal as it was enthralling. The Springboks’ scoring haul came from Kurt‑Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, and Malcolm Marx, supplemented by a penalty try awarded after a sustained South African scrum pressure. These points built on the narrow win they secured in Cape Town the previous week, underscoring a pattern of hard‑won, gritty performances that have defined their recent form.
For the All Blacks, captain Ardie Savea opened the scoring with a try in the first half, followed shortly by a second try that highlighted his explosive power. Unfortunately for New Zealand, Savea’s night was cut short when he suffered a shoulder injury that forced him off the field, removing a key attacking weapon from the lineup. Later in the game, record try‑scorer Will Jordan added another try, and hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho crossed the line in the closing stages, though his effort proved merely a consolation as the match slipped away. The result sets the stage for a dramatic finale in Baltimore, USA, where the two sides will meet for the fourth and decisive Test of the series.
Broadcast live on Sky Sports, the All Blacks will be under immense pressure to win, needing a victory to keep any hope of salvaging the series alive. The match was a textbook example of the classic clash between South African forward dominance and the fluid, running style traditionally associated with the All Blacks.
New Zealand started brightly, using quick line‑out moves and swift ball distribution to gain early ground. Their opening try came after captain Savea capitalised on a rapid line‑out, finishing a move that began with a powerful charge from Asafo Aumua against the home defence. South Africa answered swiftly.
Kurt‑Lee Arendse dived over in the corner after a robust carry from Damian de Allende, who had drawn the ball away from Leroy Carter. This early response kept the game tightly balanced and set the tone for a back‑and‑forth battle. Savea’s second try arrived just five minutes later, as he gathered a loose ball and sprinted past the defense following a break by Carter down the left wing. However, his celebration was short‑lived; a shoulder injury forced him to leave the field, leaving New Zealand without one of its most dynamic playmakers.
At the half‑time whistle, South Africa’s relentless scrum forced a penalty try, leveling the scores and providing a psychological lift heading into the interval. The second half saw New Zealand briefly regain the lead when Will Jordan, the all‑time leading try‑scorer for the All Blacks, touched down for his 54th Test try.
Yet the Springboks responded immediately. Jesse Kriel exploited a missed tackle by Carter, sprinting through a gap to score, a moment that reignited South Africa’s momentum. Marx’s maul try further showcased the physicality of the Springbok pack, while Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu added a penalty that extended the lead.
In the dying minutes, Samisoni Taukei'aho managed to cross for New Zealand, but his try was insufficient to overturn the deficit, serving only as a consolation. Springbok captain Siya Kolisi reflected on the performance in a post‑match interview, saying, "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." Both teams will now turn their attention to the final showdown in the United States, where the stakes are at their highest. The All Blacks must secure a win to force a series decider, while the Springboks will look to cement their lead and claim the series outright.
Fans can catch all the action live on Sky Sports, with kickoff times listed for the UK and Ireland. The series continues to deliver the drama, passion, and intensity that define this historic rivalry, promising a fitting climax to a memorable contest.