The Springboks of South Africa emerged victorious in a tightly contested third Test against New Zealand, winning 29-24 on Saturday at Soccer City. This victory puts South Africa ahead 2-1 in the highly anticipated four-Test series, known as Rugby's Greatest Rivalry.
The match drew an impressive crowd of 87,976 fans, who witnessed a fierce battle where both teams scored four tries. The Springboks, who had narrowly won the second Test in Cape Town the previous weekend, demonstrated resilience by overcoming an early deficit.
The contest showcased a classic clash of styles, with South Africa's formidable forward power pitted against the All Blacks' dynamic passing game. New Zealand started the match with high intensity, but as the game progressed, they found themselves increasingly worn down by the physicality of their opponents.
One significant blow for the All Blacks came just before halftime when Ardie Savea was forced to leave the field due to a shoulder injury. His status for the final match, set to take place in Baltimore, Maryland, next Saturday, remains uncertain.
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus described the match as an "epic and intense, fierce battle in all departments," expressing satisfaction with the win despite the close scoreline. Conversely, Kiwi coach Dave Rennie acknowledged the strong performance of the Springboks and emphasized the need for improved discipline to avoid giving away easy scoring opportunities. He noted the disappointment in the locker room but remained optimistic about bouncing back in the next match.
The All Blacks struck first in the 11th minute, capitalizing on a quick lineout that allowed Asafo Aumua to charge through the South African defense, with Savea finishing the move by diving over the try line. South Africa responded ten minutes later, as Damian de Allende's handoff set up wing Kurt-Lee Arendse to score in the corner.
Savea then scored again for New Zealand, picking up a loose ball to extend their lead. However, the Springboks leveled the score just before halftime with a penalty try after dominating the All Blacks in a scrum, bringing the score to 12-12.
In the second half, Will Jordan proved to be a constant threat, scoring after a well-placed kick from Leroy Carter. South Africa quickly retaliated, with Jesse Kriel exploiting a missed tackle to score a try, showcasing the back-and-forth nature of the match.
The Springboks continued to assert their dominance through forward play, with Malcolm Marx scoring a try following a powerful maul in the 66th minute. A penalty from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu extended their lead to 12 points with just ten minutes remaining. Although Samisoni Taukeiaho scored a consolation try for New Zealand at the final whistle, the Springboks had already secured their hard-fought victory.
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