South Africa rallied from a deficit to edge New Zealand 29-24 in a gritty third Test, propelling the Springboks to a 2-1 advantage in the storied "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry" series with just one match left. The encounter, staged before a packed Soweto stadium of 87,976 spectators, unfolded as a see‑saw battle, with both sides crossing the try line four times each, delivering a spectacle that was as physically demanding as it was enthralling.
For the Springboks, the scoring ledger featured tries from Kurt‑Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel and veteran forward Malcolm Marx, complemented by a penalty try awarded after a dominant South African scrum in the dying moments of the first half. These points came on the back of a narrow win in Cape Town the previous week, underscoring South Africa's ability to grind out hard‑fought victories in hostile environments. New Zealand’s captain, Ardie Savea, opened the scoring with two first‑half tries, showcasing his explosive running and leadership. Unfortunately, his night was cut short when a shoulder injury forced him off the field, depriving the All Blacks of a key playmaker for the remainder of the match.
Later, record try‑scorer Will Jordan added another try, while hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho crossed the line in the closing stages, though his effort proved only a consolation as South Africa held firm. The match narrative was classic: a powerful Springbok forward pack pitted against the fluid, high‑tempo All Blacks attack. New Zealand surged early, exploiting quick line‑out moves and the speed of their backline. The opening try came from Savea, who finished a swift line‑out set after Asafo Aumua broke through the South African defense.
Shortly thereafter, Savea struck again, capitalising on a loose ball after Leroy Carter’s run down the left wing, only to be forced out of the game with the shoulder injury. South Africa responded immediately. Arendse, displaying composure under pressure, dived over in the corner after a well‑timed pass from Damian de Allende that saw Carter off‑load to him.
The Springboks kept the pressure on, and just before the half‑time whistle, a South African scrum collapsed near the All Blacks’ try line, prompting the referee to award a penalty try that levelled the scores and shifted momentum heading into the break. The second half saw New Zealand briefly regain the lead when Will Jordan, already a legend with his 54th Test try, broke through the South African defence. However, Jesse Kriel answered back for the hosts, racing past a fatigued Carter who missed a crucial tackle, and re‑establishing the Springboks’ foothold. The decisive moments arrived when Malcolm Marx powered through a maul to touch down, showcasing the brute strength that has become a hallmark of South African rugby.
Following that, Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu slotted a penalty, extending the lead and forcing New Zealand into a chase. In the dying minutes, Samisoni Taukei'aho managed to cross for the All Blacks, but the scoreline remained unchanged, sealing a hard‑earned victory for South Africa. Captain Siya Kolisi reflected on the performance, 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." With the series now hanging in the balance, the two sides will reconvene in Baltimore, USA, for the fourth and final Test. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, and the All Blacks will need a win to keep their pride intact and avoid a series defeat. The stakes are high, the travel long, and both squads will be looking to fine‑tune their strategies ahead of the decisive showdown.
Beyond the on‑field drama, the match highlighted the growing global reach of rugby union, with fans across continents tuning in via Sky Sports and streaming platforms such as NOW. The tournament continues to demonstrate how traditional rivalries can be packaged for modern audiences, offering high‑definition coverage, interactive statistics, and accessible video players—particularly when viewed through Chrome, as recommended by the broadcasters. In summary, the third Test was a testament to South Africa’s resilience and tactical acumen, as they overcame early setbacks, capitalised on New Zealand’s injury woes, and executed a disciplined second‑half surge.
The series now stands at 2‑1 in favour of the Springboks, setting the stage for a climactic finale in the United States where the All Blacks must summon everything they have to level the series, while the Springboks aim to close it out with a historic fourth victory in the rivalry.