South Africa rallied from an early deficit to edge New Zealand 29‑24 in a gritty third Test that pushed the two‑nation rivalry to a 2‑1 advantage for the Springboks, with one match still to play. The encounter was a roller‑coaster of tries, physicality and drama, unfolding before a packed stadium of 87,976 spectators in Soweto.
Both sides crossed the try‑line four times, delivering a spectacle that was as ferocious as it was enthralling. The Springboks, buoyed by a hard‑won win in Cape Town the week before, added another triumph to their tally.
Their scoring came from Kurt‑Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel and Malcolm Marx, complemented by a penalty try awarded after a sustained scrum assault that forced the referee’s hand at the half‑time whistle. New Zealand’s captain, Ardie Savea, opened the scoring with two first‑half tries, showcasing his speed and power before a shoulder injury forced him off for good. Veteran winger Will Jordan added a further try for the All Blacks, while hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho managed a late score that proved merely a consolation in the final minutes.
The match began with New Zealand seizing the initiative. After a swift line‑out, captain Savea exploited a gap created by Asafo Aumua’s charge and sprinted to the corner for the opening try. The All Blacks continued to press, and five minutes later Savea collected a loose ball after Leroy Carter’s break down the left wing, diving over for his second try.
However, his celebration was cut short when a shoulder injury forced him to leave the field, leaving New Zealand without their dynamic leader. South Africa responded quickly. Kurt‑Lee Arendse, after a powerful carry from Damian de Allende that forced a turnover, darted into the corner to level the scores.
The Springboks kept the pressure on, and just before the half‑time break their forward pack dominated a series of scrums, culminating in a penalty try that brought the score to a dead‑heat as the teams headed into the break. The second half saw New Zealand attempt to regain the lead. Will Jordan, already a record try‑scorer for the All Blacks, struck again, his 54th Test try reigniting the Kiwi hopes.
Yet the Springboks answered in kind. Jesse Kriel broke through after a missed tackle by Carter, sprinting to the try‑line and restoring South Africa’s momentum. The decisive moment arrived when Malcolm Marx, using the power of a maul, grounded the ball for a try that highlighted the Springbok’s forward dominance.
Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu added a penalty kick for South Africa, extending the lead and forcing New Zealand into a chase. In the dying moments, Samisoni Taukei'aho crossed for a try, but it was too little, too late, serving only as a consolation for the All Blacks.
After the final whistle, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi praised his side’s resilience. He said, “We’re proud of the win today. The All Blacks gave us a massive challenge; they came at us like a house on fire.
In the first 25 minutes our lungs were working overtime, but we managed to keep the scoreline tight and fought back. The way we finished was far better than the past two weeks. We play for ourselves, for the Springboks, and most importantly for every South African. We’re grateful for the privilege – not pressure – to lift the nation’s spirits.” The series now heads to its final chapter in Baltimore, USA, where the two sides will clash for the fourth and deciding Test.
The All Blacks will need a win to level the series, while the Springboks will look to clinch the trophy on foreign soil. Both teams will be under the bright lights of Sky Sports, with live coverage promised for fans across the UK and Ireland. The match epitomised the classic contrast between South Africa’s brute forward power and New Zealand’s fluid, attacking flair.
While the All Blacks exploded out of the blocks with speed and skill, the Springboks’ relentless second‑half surge, anchored by their dominant pack, ultimately proved decisive. The series remains one of rugby’s most storied rivalries, and the upcoming finale in Baltimore promises to deliver another chapter of high‑stakes, high‑intensity rugby. For viewers seeking to watch the live broadcast, the game is available on Sky Sports, with streaming options on NOW and recommendations to use the Chrome browser for the best video experience. The final Test will be a crucial showdown, where a single mistake or moment of brilliance could determine the outcome of a tightly contested four‑match series.