South Africa defeats New Zealand 29-24 to take 2-1 test series lead

Springboks edge physical contest at Soccer City

South Africa secured a 29-24 victory over New Zealand at Soccer City in Johannesburg on Saturday, moving 2-1 ahead in the four-match test series dubbed Rugby's Greatest Rivalry. The world champions rallied in front of 87,976 spectators, matching the All Blacks with four tries each. Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, and Malcolm Marx touched down for the hosts, alongside a penalty try awarded from a set-piece drive. New Zealand won the opening test in Johannesburg before South Africa levelled the series in Cape Town last weekend. The result guarantees that South Africa cannot lose the series, putting them in position to claim their first series triumph over New Zealand since 1976.

First-half exchange and captain's milestone

The opening quarter brought rapid shifts in momentum after full-back Cheslin Kolbe suffered a broken jaw and fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was yellow-carded for a deliberate knockdown in the tenth minute. New Zealand seized the numerical advantage immediately when hooker Asafo Aumua broke from a lineout, allowing captain Ardie Savea to dive over in the 11th minute. South Africa replied ten minutes later as Damian de Allende passed wide for Arendse to score in the corner. Savea struck again on 26 minutes after Leroy Carter evaded tackles down the flank. Springbok captain Siya Kolisi achieved his 55th test victory, surpassing John Smit to become the most successful captain in South African rugby history.

The All Blacks came hard at us in the first 25 minutes, their lungs were pumping. We did well not to concede more points.

Scrum dominance and second-half momentum

South Africa levelled the score at 12-12 four minutes before half-time when their forward pack drove New Zealand across the goal-line at a scrum to earn a penalty try. The Springboks took their first lead near the hour mark, building a 12-point cushion before conceding a try after the final hooter. Marx sealed the advantage by grounding the ball between the posts after a long lineout maul. Will Jordan and substitute hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho scored New Zealand's second-half tries, while Ruben Love and Damian McKenzie kicked a conversion each. Feinberg-Mngomezulu added two conversions and a penalty after taking over kicking duties.

I thought it was an epic game and it was intense, a fierce battle in all departments, and I think the scoreboard at the end showed how close the game was.

Injury toll ahead of Baltimore finale

Both squads suffered significant personnel losses during the encounter ahead of the final fixture at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Savea was forced off nine minutes before half-time with a shoulder injury following a ruck clearout by Jasper Wiese, ruling him out of the trip. Wallace Sititi replaced the captain at number eight. New Zealand coach Dave Rennie confirmed Savea will miss the finale, while outside centre Quinn Tupaea faces a knee assessment. South Africa will travel without Kolbe, who previously kicked 11 consecutive goals across the first two tests. Both squads departed Johannesburg on a shared charter flight on Sunday morning.

They are world champions for a reason. Very good up front and they play a bit of footy tonight.