At FNB Stadium (Soccer City) in Soweto
Rugby’s greatest rivalry in rugby found another gear in Soweto last night as nearly 90 000 fans were served a ferocious feast of high-octane rugby, with the Springboks surviving an All Blacks thunderstorm to win 29-24.
It was four-try-a-side mayhem, a heavyweight slugfest dressed up as a rugby game, with neither pack willing to surrender an inch.
For Siya Kolisi, the victory was historic.
The Springbok captain led his team to a record 55th Test victory as skipper, moving him to the summit of South Africa’s captaincy record book.
Match report: The #Springboks went 2-1 up after winning a pulsating RGR Test at the FNB Stadium by 29-24 – more here: https://t.co/pgt6sSdv5a 💥#ForeverGreenForeverGold #RugbysGreatestRivalry pic.twitter.com/9sSdmDDRye
— Springboks (@Springboks) September 5, 2026
The All Blacks came roaring out of the blocks.
With Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in the sin bin after a deliberate knock-down, New Zealand exploited the extra-man advantage and captain Ardie Savea crashed over in the 10th minute.
Ruben Love missed the conversion, leaving the All Blacks 5-0 ahead.
The Boks quickly found their legs.
Ten minutes later, slick hands released Cheslin Kolbe, who finished with the sort of electric footwork that has made him one of rugby’s most feared finishers. Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted and South Africa edged ahead 7-5.
Kolbe was soon forced off for a head-injury assessment, removing a sparkplug from the Boks’ attacking machinery.
Then came the scrum sermon.
South Africa’s pack began squeezing the life out of the Kiwi set piece, repeatedly putting New Zealand under pressure. Four minutes before half-time, the All Black scrum buckled and the referee awarded a penalty try.
The Boks went to the break 14-5 ahead.
New Zealand returned from the tunnel with their engines revving.
Savea powered over for his second try before Will Jordan, gliding through space with the elegance of a thoroughbred, added another. Love converted to put the All Blacks 17-14 ahead.
Soweto was now a cauldron.
Momentum swung like a pendulum.
Jesse Kriel then detonated through the Kiwi defence, bursting clear to score the Boks’ third try. Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted and South Africa regained the lead at 21-17.
Malcolm Marx delivered the next body blow, bulldozing over for the Boks’ fourth try.
Malcolm Marx!!!! What a driving maul by the Boks. SFM adds the extras – SA lead 26-17 with 13 minutes to go 🦏
Live updates: https://t.co/WSKtmdtIQB 🏉#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #RugbysGreatestRivalry pic.twitter.com/aOwYZC2HjB— Springboks (@Springboks) September 5, 2026
Feinberg-Mngomezulu added a penalty to make it 29-17, giving South Africa precious breathing room.
There was no breathing room for long.
The All Blacks launched one final furious assault, refusing to leave the party quietly. Replacement hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho finally powered over after the hooter, with Damian McKenzie converting to close the gap to 29-24.
The comeback ran out of road.
Ethan Hooker was named Man of the Match after a powerful display that combined defensive steel, physicality and attacking menace.
The victory gave the Boks an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-Test series, although the rivalry is already preparing for another lap.
The two sides now board a chartered flight for the long journey to Baltimore in the United States, where they will meet again in the fourth and final Test next week.
Earlier, the Black Ferns served their own warning, crushing the Springbok Women 52-20 in the historic first meeting between the teams on African soil.
New Zealand scored eight tries and led 24-10 at half-time, exposing the gulf in experience, pace and finishing power.
For the Boks, Soweto was a night of bruises, brilliance and belief.
The All Blacks threw everything at them.
The Boks refused to blink.
SPRINGBOKS – Tries: Kurt-Lee Arendse, penalty try, Jesse Kriel, Malcolm Marx. Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2). Penalty: Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
ALL BLACKS – Tries: Ardie Savea (2), Will Jordan, Samisoni Taukei’aho. Conversions: Ruben Love, Damian McKenzie.
