South Africa defeated New Zealand 29-24 at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday, taking a 2-1 lead in their historic four-match rugby series. Driven by forward power and an influential scrum, the Springboks cannot lose the series ahead of the Baltimore finale.
South Africa locked down a lead on home soil after overpowering New Zealand 29-24 in a breathless third Test in Johannesburg on Saturday. The match at FNB Stadium pushed the Springboks to a 2-1 lead in the four-match contest branded Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, according to The Associated Press.
With the victory, the top-ranked hosts ensured they cannot lose the series ahead of the landmark fourth Test next Saturday in Baltimore, United States. New Zealand won the opening Test 33-16 in Johannesburg before South Africa bounced back with a 33-26 victory in Cape Town, setting up a high-stakes fixture.
South Africa 29-24 New Zealand
First-Half Escalation and Injury Blows at FNB Stadium
The visitors struck first in the 11th minute when Asafo Aumua was tackled close to the South Africa line before New Zealand captain Ardie Savea picked up, found a gap and dived over. Ruben Love added the conversion to give New Zealand an early advantage.
The Springboks suffered a double blow when full-back Cheslin Kolbe retired injured with a head knock, and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was yellow-carded. Kolbe, with a perfect goal-kicking record so far in the series, departed alongside the scoreboard damage. South Africa clawed their way back when Damian de Allende combined with Kurt-Lee Arendse, who surged over in the corner on 22 minutes.
South Africa outmuscles New Zealand 29-24 to take a
The visitors extended their advantage on 26 minutes. New Zealand’s smarts initially defused the fire and fury inside the cauldron, however, as a brave Peter Lakai turnover had halted South Africa momentum, and Will Jordan streaked clear to switch play to the other 22. South Africa fly-half Feinberg-Mngomezulu was shown yellow for knocking down Ardie Savea’s offload and, from the resulting penalty, the All Blacks rolled round the back of a short-range line-out, clearing room for Savea to sweep through some under-staffed fringe defence and score.
South Africa capitalized on their set-piece dominance, deadlocking the match 12-12 at halftime. For the first time in the series, they matched New Zealand for tries — four each — and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu replaced injured goalkicker Cheslin Kolbe to land two conversions and a penalty. His success contrasted starkly with Ruben Love missing seven points off the tee. Also, crucially, New Zealand captain Ardie Savea scored a pair of tries.
Springbok Forward Dominance Seals the Second-Half Comeback
South Africa beat New Zealand 29-24 in third Test
South Africa imposed its forward power on New Zealand and won a pulsating third test 29-24 to snatch a 2-1 lead in their historic rugby series on Saturday. The comeback from losing the first test ensured the Springboks cannot lose the series. The Springboks didn’t lead until an hour in on the back of their influential scrum, then sealed the win with a long, energy-sapping lineout maul that finished with Malcolm Marx diving between the posts and thumping the ground in joy.
Wing Kurt-Lee Arendse, centre Jesse Kriel and hooker Malcolm Marx scored tries for the Springboks, who were also awarded a penalty try. Captain Ardie Savea scored two tries for the All Blacks and wing Will Jordan and substitute hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho one each. Fly-half Ruben Love and full-back Damian McKenzie slotted one conversion each.
Series Finale Awaits in Baltimore
There is a fourth Test next week in Baltimore. The Springboks lost the first but have roared back on home soil. They have a chance next Saturday in the fourth and final match in Baltimore to clinch their first series victory over the All Blacks since 1976.
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