Springboks vs All Blacks

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If ever there was a match to encapsulate that old sporting cliché of the best sides always finding a way to win, even when they look beaten, then it was this South African victory against their old foes New Zealand. 
These Springboks are world champions for a reason; even when they looked down and out, wobbling on the canvas, they found new levels of resilience and grit, remarkably putting the All Blacks to the sword in a dramatic, double-punch finale. Now, after just three rounds, Rassie Erasmus’ side have one hand and a few fingers on a first Rugby Championship title since 2019.
In a repeat of last year’s dramatic World Cup final in Paris — where the Springboks triumphed by one point after the All Blacks’ skipper, Sam Cane, had been red-carded for a dangerous tackle — there was no shortage of drama once again, this time at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. 
The Springboks trailed by 10 points after 67 minutes, having led on just one occasion in the match, for all of 30 seconds, and even then, their accumulated total deserved an asterisk. In the first half, hooker Bongi Mbonambi clearly lost control of the ball as he went to ground for the hosts’ first try after breaking away from a maul. The incident was missed by both referee Andrew Brace and, more egregiously, his Television Match Official. 
We will never truly know to what extent the error affected the result of the match, but what is without doubt is that it hampered New Zealand’s cause.
As an official with endless camera angles, replays and time, how can you deem this as a try.Baffling. pic.twitter.com/2NHs8QEEOz
But it was the match’s finale which tingled the spine and showed the value of these warrior Springboks, playing for a country celebrating 30 years of democracy. 
In a spellbinding 13-minute period, South Africa took a vice-like control of the match, squeezing the life out of the All Blacks. It was done with a ruthless, clinical, never-say-die attitude. It was Test rugby at its finest; and a direct manifestation of “smash and grab”.
From the moment New Zealand’s replacement, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, was shown a yellow card in the 67th minute for cynically dragging down a maul, even with a 10-point cushion, the Kiwi doubts crept in. From the moment Kwagga Smith — who was once again absurdly effective off the bench — darted over for a try a minute later, there were few doubts about the direction in which the result was headed. 
Grant Williams’ late try, from similarly close range as Smith, rounded off the comeback but in reality the score just rubber-stamped the inevitable. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu also possesses a cannon of a right boot. The 22-year-old fly-half kicked 16 points in the victory, including one sensational 59-metre strike which deserves to be remembered for years to come. Pieter-Steph Du Toit, no matter the number on his back, also continues to set a world-class standard.
New Zealand will be mortified at having let such a handsome lead slip, not least because they played by far the prettier and more precise rugby. They outscored their hosts by four tries to three. 
Caleb Clarke scored two peaches, the first of which came in the blink of an eye, a counter-attack off a Jasper Wiese error. The second was straight off Scott Robertson’s training ground, a first phase move leaving South Africa chasing shadows.
Codie Taylor opened the scoring early on to set the tone after Aphelele Fassi had been yellow-carded for a cynical ruck entry, and when Jordie Barrett intercepted Jesse Kriel’s pass at the start of the second half, it really did seem as though New Zealand would break their 10-year Ellis Park hoodoo.
But Smith, Williams and an entire nation, which never knows it is beaten, had other ideas.
South Africa stretch their lead at the top of the Rugby Championship table.
Check back in later for our live coverage of Argentina’s hosting of Australia. That kicks off at 11pm BST.
Until next time, enjoy your weekend!
🏉 𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℝ𝕦𝕘𝕓𝕪 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕞𝕡𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡 🏉The Springboks snatch a victory over All Blacks at Emirates Airline Park!🇿🇦 3⃣1⃣➖2⃣7⃣ 🇳🇿🚨 LIVE📺 SABC 2🌐 https://t.co/hibb8lgo8P📱 SABC+📻 SABC Radio Stations#SABCSportRugby #RSAvNZL #Habashwe pic.twitter.com/8H8oKQBC5J
Well done to the Springboks – it showed the class team they are. We weren’t quite good enough. We were good for 62 minutes and it’s an 80-minute game.
There were two key moments after kick-offs where we couldn’t quite get out of our half and they punished us. It was a huge effort, certainly proud – but just not quite tonight.
We’ll regroup pretty quickly. Some guys have played here for the first time. It’s intense and we’ll have to be better next week.
Thank you [to the crowd].
On behalf of the team, we just one to say: thank you for the support, not just tonight but you’ve carried us through so many battles. We play for a lot but you people are our No 1 motivation. We appreciate you every single day. Please don’t stop. When times are tough, please keep supporting us. We cannot do it without you.
We respect the All Blacks. No matter what people say about them, when they need to turn up, they turn up. We believe in ourselves, we didn’t panic, and we did what we wanted.
They were catching us on the exit. After the first try in the second half, we picked it up. I’m really proud of the boys but the job is not done. It’s 30 years of freedom and I want to say congratulations to South Africa. But we know there are many people who are still not free. Hopefully the next celebrations celebrate women who are free from gender-based violence. 
Du Toit thanks the heavenly father and the wonderful fans at Ellis Park.
We’re definitely trying to build character. We made a lot of changes, young guys experiencing different pressures. You don’t get more pressure than this game – it was a privilege.
🏉 𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℝ𝕦𝕘𝕓𝕪 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕞𝕡𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡 🏉The Springboks are back in the lead!🇿🇦 🆚 🇳🇿🚨 LIVE📺 SABC 2🌐 https://t.co/hibb8lgo8P📱 SABC+📻 SABC Radio Stations#SABCSportRugby #RSAvNZL #Habashwe pic.twitter.com/89K9VuaEQ7
South Africa’s winning record against New Zealand at Ellis Park, which began in 2014, continues.
For the All Blacks, at 27-17, it was firmly within their grasp. Tu’ungafasi’s yellow card proved decisive.
And how the TMO did not pick up on Mbonambi’s first-half knock-on for the Springboks’ opening score, I’ll never know.
What a smash and grab. South Africa have done it. New Zealand, who played the better rugby, look stunned and inconsolable.
New Zealand will have to do it from their own 22 – and they choose the cross-kick!
It never looks on and Feinberg-Mgomezulu gobbles the ball up.
South Africa can run the clock down here. This will be the game.
A proper shank from the fly-half keeps the lead at four.
That would have killed it off but South Africa are still huge favourites for the win.
It’s good and, with five minutes left, and still with a man advantage, this is South Africa’s to lose.
Incredibly.
Etzebeth strips Darry in the tackle and South Africa have a kickable penalty from the restart!
My word.
What a comeback. South Africa again keep it tight but, off the back of Feinberg-Mgomezulu’s touch-finder, Williams the scrum-half scampers over from close range.
Finau changes his bind at the maul and it’s a penalty to South Africa.
Wow, what a touch-finder that is from Feinberg-Mngomezulu. The Springboks will throw in on the five.
🏉 𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℝ𝕦𝕘𝕓𝕪 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕞𝕡𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡 🏉Kwagga Smith gets a 𝐓𝐑𝐘 for the Springboks, and Feinburg-Mngomezulu converts!🇿🇦 🆚 🇳🇿🚨 LIVE📺 SABC 2🌐 https://t.co/hibb8lgo8P📱 SABC+📻 SABC Radio Stations#SABCSportRugby #RSAvNZL #Habashwe pic.twitter.com/OUTPcK3ZAc
South African tails are up here – and until the 77th minute they have a man advantage.
New Zealand are desperate for territory but they cannot find it. South Africa’s backfield are returning everything thrown at them – with interest.
Eventually, the All Blacks find touch on their own 10-metre line. The Springboks, whose line-out has been far from flawless, throw in.
Doubly game on!
How good has Kwagga Smith been since coming on. The ultimate impact player.
South Africa keep it tight but it’s the speed with which Smith picks up off the ground and his acceleration which propels him over. It’s rare for forwards to pick-and-go over without barely an attempted tackle.
Game on now!
Tu’ungafasi collapses the Springboks maul and New Zealand will be down to 14 for a crucial part of this match.
South Africa head back to the corner…
The All Blacks make a Horlicks of their exit – and it’s messy.
Ratima – on for Perenara – comes in from the side and it’s a penalty to the Springboks.
The hosts go to the corner…
Smith comes up with the turnover! How crucial could that be?
Feinberg-Mngomezulu clears and after a couple of sloppy New Zealand phases, South Africa are away!
Fassi puts boot to ball, with Kolbe haring after it. The wing beats Jordan to the ball but the ball beats Kolbe into touch, inside the New Zealand 22.
Less than 15 minutes remain. Will New Zealand rue not taking the three a few minutes ago?
Some deft touches from Vaa’i and Taylor – as well as McKenzie – lays the platform for some attractive New Zealand pragmatism.
After exploiting space, McKenzie slots a great touch-finder down into the Springbok 22.
And New Zealand have a penalty from the line-out – holding on! Vaa’i gets over Williams.
All Blacks to the corner, maybe to kill it off?
McKenzie clears and New Zealand pinch the subsequent line-out.
The All Blacks clear again but Fassi conjures a spell on the counter. Jordan does well to get back and clear up the danger, but the Springboks keep coming. Feinberg-Mngomezulu threads a kick down into coffin corner and New Zealand will have to exit from their own five-metre line, from the line-out.
Du Toit is penalised for not rolling away at the first ruck from the line-out and the All Blacks have a get-out-of-jail-free card.
 
The attack is aggressive from the Springboks but the All Blacks’ defence meets it head on. Smith cuts a decent angle but he’s scythed down by Tu’ungafasi. At the ensuing ruck, Williams knocks on at the base and New Zealand survive with a scrum – albeit inside their own 22.
🏉 𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℝ𝕦𝕘𝕓𝕪 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕞𝕡𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡 🏉The 4th 𝐓𝐑𝐘 for All Blacks!🇿🇦 🆚 🇳🇿🚨 LIVE📺 SABC 2🌐 https://t.co/hibb8lgo8P📱 SABC+📻 SABC Radio Stations#SABCSportRugby #RSAvNZL #Habashwe pic.twitter.com/afZX51vfNy
Ah, there’s an error from Jordan trying to collect the ball under little pressure and now South Africa will put into a scrum just outside the All Blacks’ 22.
It was a tough one for McKenzie but it is another miss.
Still, New Zealand lead by 10.
It’s a beauty! Straight off the training ground and it leaves the Springboks chasing shadows.
The line-out goes over the top, J Barrett switches with Perenara and Ioane’s dummy angle is a peach. It sucks the South Africans in, allowing B Barrett to draw Fassi and feed Clarke, who finishes down the left.
It’s good and the All Blacks’ lead is cut to five.
Penalty to South Africa after a high tackle from Cane. S Barrett has a bit of a talking to from Brace with New Zealand discipline faltering a touch.
It’s eminently kickable and Kolisi points to the sticks.
Concern for Arendse here as he hits the deck after putting a tackle in. He’s off for an HIA.
Pollard comes on at 12 and Kriel shifts out to the wing.
Eight-point lead restored in an instant.
Easy as they come and the Springboks are back within a score.
But Steenkamp drops off his feet at the first ruck from the restart and now McKenzie will have a chance to cancel out those South Africa three points.
Blackadder does not roll away at the ruck and South Africa have an easily kickable penalty.
Kolisi points to the sticks.
🏉 𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℝ𝕦𝕘𝕓𝕪 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕞𝕡𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡 🏉It’s the 3rd 𝐓𝐑𝐘 for All Blacks!🇿🇦 🆚 🇳🇿🚨 LIVE📺 SABC 2🌐 https://t.co/hibb8lgo8P📱 SABC+📻 SABC Radio Stations#SABCSportRugby #RSAvNZL #Habashwe pic.twitter.com/XEf9xwMW5d
Restarts have not been New Zealand’s friend tonight – and they make a hash of another one.
Wiese carries – as ever – and it’s a penalty to South Africa.
Uh oh, to the corner the Springboks go, and here comes the bomb squad (as well as Williams at nine).
A simple conversion for McKenzie and New Zealand now lead by more than one score.
A gift for New Zealand – and the perfect start to the half for the All Blacks.
First phase, Kriel collects in midfield and his pass to Kolisi is read so well by J Barrett.
He intercepts, accelerates, and not even Arendse could catch him.
McKenzie clears from the kick-off but only as far as the New Zealand 10-metre line.
South Africa will throw in.
And the second half is about to begin.
🏉 𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℝ𝕦𝕘𝕓𝕪 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕞𝕡𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡 🏉Another 𝐓𝐑𝐘 for All Blacks!🇿🇦 🆚 🇳🇿🚨 LIVE📺 SABC 2🌐 https://t.co/hibb8lgo8P📱 SABC+📻 SABC Radio Stations#SABCSportRugby #RSAvNZL pic.twitter.com/y8ejn9YJna
A compelling half that wasn’t without its controversy.
In the end, New Zealand enter the tunnel with a deserved lead – but, in truth, the gap should be greater.
Mbonambi’s try was clearly knocked on over the line and the fact that the TMO did not review it is frankly not good enough for a game of this stature.
The All Blacks have scored two tries – one converted – while the Springboks have kept in touch through the siege-gun boot of Feinberg-Mngomezulu. One 59-metre penalty was incredible.
All to play for in the second half in Johannesburg!
An error from B Barrett. Under pressure, he kicks the ball out at 39:58 hoping it would be the half but Brace says there is time for the line-out.
South Africa throw in from the New Zealand 22. It’s forthright and purposeful from the Springboks, but Reinach knocks on at the base and New Zealand survive.
That’s the half.
Nortje returns but Etzebeth remains – Dixon is being hooked after 38 mins.
Meanwhile, the Springboks are having one final go before the interval. Feinberg-Mngomezulu is in the pocket but his effort is just wide.
It’s good. We have a one-point game (just as in the World Cup final).
Penalty to South Africa from the scrum.
Kolisi and Feinberg-Mngomezulu point to the sticks. After he’s just hit one from 60 metres, and this one is from less than 30, why not?
Not one of his finest, but the All Blacks’ lead is four.
New Zealand have made a bit of a hash of the restart, too.
South Africa scrum just outside the visitors’ 22.
Out of nothing! Ruthless!
Dixon’s pop to Wiese is never on and the No 8 coughs up possession.
The All Blacks sniff an opportunity and are off in a flash. Draw the man and pass – Lomax, B Barrett, Jordan all do their bit before Clarke finishes untouched.
Unfortunately, the knock-on is hidden in this angle
🏉 𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℝ𝕦𝕘𝕓𝕪 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕞𝕡𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡 🏉Bongi Mbonambi gets a 𝐓𝐑𝐘 for The Springboks!🇿🇦 5⃣➖7⃣ 🇳🇿🚨 LIVE📺 SABC 2🌐 https://t.co/hibb8lgo8P📱 SABC+#SABCSportRugby #RSAvNZL pic.twitter.com/npw5x2IeLt
Wow.
What a strike. Sensational. South Africa now lead.
Wiese with the holding-on penalty!
It’s nip and tuck this.
Hang on… South Africa are pointing to the sticks! It’s well inside their own half, virtually on their own 10-metre line, but Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s having a pop.
Kolbe almost sensationally keeps a fabulous McKenzie touch-finder in field but his foot was just on the line. Great acrobatics nonetheless.
Mbonambi throws, Kolisi carries and Reinach clears into touch just shy of halfway. New Zealand to throw.
The South African midfield creates a bit of space, and New Zealand are in a spot of bother, but Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s pass is a bullet and there’s a Springbok knock-on.
Meanwhile, Nortje is struggling. Yep, on comes Etzebeth after his miraculous recovery. 
New Zealand’s scrum is once again solid, allowing Jordan to fly down the blindside. South Africa scramble valiantly again, however, dragging the wing into touch on the Springbok 22.
After some kicking toing and froing, B Barrett attempts an ambitious 50:22 but it’s out on the full and South Africa will throw in on the New Zealand 10-metre line.
Conveniently, the picture used was taken AFTER the knock-on.
Bongi goes over 🙌#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #RSAvNZL pic.twitter.com/GCiqSq7Ol9
The Springbok fly-half is timed out! He was irate with Brace but I’m not sure why. The clock is the clock.
Incidentally, New Zealand look to be within their rights to be furious with the officials – on replay, it looks as though Mbnonambi knocked that ball on.
Why on earth was it not checked?
That’s an impressive finish.
New Zealand di well to halt the maul but Mbonambi breaks away. From five metres out, he beats Jordan, McKenzie and Williams with power and dynamism to score.
Hang on… did he knock on while scoring? There does not seem to be a check. I’d like to see it again.
It’s route one from South Africa. Feinberg-Mngomezulu makes a half-break, then Du-Toit, Wiese and Nche all have a go from close range.
But B Barrett infringes at the ruck, so South Africa go back to the corner.
New Zealand drag down the maul so Feinberg-Mngomezulu goes to the corner… Well, as near as he can from an acute angle.
South Africa survive as Lomax comes in the side. Perenara doesn’t like it, chirping at Brace, and the referee has to have some words with the All Blacks’ nine.
South Africa go on the attack and Feinberg-Mngomezulu spots space out wide! He threads a grubber for Arendse to chase. He’s into the 22 but he just can’t control it over the line. Jordan gets back to scoop up the loose ball and the All Blacks clear to just outside their own 22.
The Springboks will throw in and come again.
What an outrageous piece of skill from Perenara.
From a scrum on halfway, after the South Africa restart was out on the full, he takes a step to the left and dinks a delectable touch-finder over the head of Kolbe.
It’s a 50:22 and New Zealand will throw in. Classy.
A nice settler for McKenzie, to the left of the posts.
The maul motors over, splintering the big Springbok pack, and that’s quite routine for Taylor.
A hugely positive start for New Zealand.
It was cynical! Fassi was offside after Blackadder butchered the overlap and the full-back will be spending 10 minutes into the sin bin.
Still, a proper howler from the New Zealand blindside – but the All Blacks will throw in five metres out.
There’s an accidental offside from the Boks after a thumping Wiese carry, so New Zealand restart with a scrum in a dangerous spot.
It’s solid and off the visitors go again, on the attack.
Oh and Blackadder… what have you done? Sublime hands from McKenzie and B Barrett to get the ball wide under pressure and Blackadder, with Clarke outside him, cuts back in. It was a walk-in.
Still, Fassi was caught offside in that move and Brace thinks it was cynical…
Lively!
It ends, after 16 sharp New Zealand phases, with Savea being bundled into touch on the Springbok five-metre line. Impressive defence from the hosts.
But the All Blacks were punchy! Savea and Ioane in particular, but there was also a moment where Blackadder found some space down the right and did superbly to keep the move alive, offloading inside.
Now, South Africa exit with the line-out.
Reinach’s clearance is a touch long and B Barrett has enough time to gather.
Kolbe, chasing, chps the full-back but he’s penalised for not rolling away.
J Barrett kicks the penalty down to the South African 22. The All Blacks will throw in.
McKenzie (finally) gets us under way, with New Zealand playing right to left.
And now we’ve got a Fly Emirates plane overhead.
What next? 
Hopefully… kick-off!
I appreciate they want to ham up the spectacle – although, I’m not sure they need to given the two teams on the field – but the players have been out on the field for over 10 minutes already. Now, New Zealand are praying, and we haven’t even got to the haka yet.
Can we just… get on with it?
There’s been an awful lot of hand-shaking with the players on the field.
But, now, the anthems are next!
And the anthems are next. Kick-off is just 10 minutes away.
Let me know in the comments.
I’m going… New Zealand by four. And I fully expect to be wrong.
The countdown continues … coin toss done 🪙#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #RSAvNZL pic.twitter.com/dMiYjrr6Bh
My colleague, Ben Coles, makes a compelling case for South Africa v New Zealand as the greatest rivalry in rugby.
You can read that by clicking here.
For my money, it is certainly up there – but Bayonne v Biarritz takes some beating…
The scene is set 🏟#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #RSAvNZL pic.twitter.com/8bWzxl5h8L
The intrigue does not just involve Etzebeth. For South Africa, Feinberg-Mngomezulu is once again preferred to Pollard at fly-half.
Up front, Du Toit plays lock while Dixon – usually a second row with the Stormers – plays six. And Jasper Wiese returns to the side for his first competitive rugby since his red card for Leicester in the final game of the Premiership season.
For New Zealand, Williams continues owing to De Groot’s injury – will the former be able to handle Malherbe at scrum time? – while Scott Blackadder returns to skipper the side at lock. Darry drops to the bench, from which Sam Cane, the former captain, is promoted to start at openside. This is Cane’s first start for the All Blacks since his sending off while skippering in the World Cup final loss to the Springboks last year.
South Africa starting XV: A Fassi; C Kolbe, J Kriel, D de Allende, K-L Arendse; S Feinberg-Mngomezulu, C Reinach; O Nche, B Mbonambi, F Malherbe, P-S du Toit, R Nortje, S Kolisi (c), B-J Dixon, J Wiese.Replacements: M Marx, G Steenekamp, V Koch, E Etzebeth, E Louw, K Smith, G Williams, H Pollard.
New Zealand starting XV: B Barrett; W Jordan, R Ioane, J Barrett, C Clarke; D McKenzie, TJ Perenara; T Williams, C Taylor, T Lomax, S Barrett (c), T Vaa’i, E Blackadder, S Cane, A Savea. Replacements: A Aumua, O Tu’ungafasi, F Newell, S Darry, S Finau, C Ratima, A Lienert-Brown, M Tele’a.
Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live coverage of today’s Rugby Championship third-round match between South Africa and New Zealand at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
Meaning no disrespect to either Argentina or Australia – indeed, the Pumas’ victory over the All Blacks in Wellington may well end up as the performance of this year’s Rugby Championship – but this afternoon’s clash is the one we have all been waiting for. A repeat of last year’s thrilling and controversial World Cup final, with the greatest rugby team on the planet against the greatest rugby nation on the planet for the first time since that 2023 showpiece in Paris.
And, after that defeat to Argentina, all the pressure is on New Zealand – which, when facing the world-champion Springboks in their own backyard, is not necessarily the most auspicious of positions, especially as attack coach Leon McDonald departed the set-up before the flight to South Africa.
Saying that, the New Zealand starting XV still looks formidable and will still require some beating. The Springboks at one point this week looked as though they would have to do it without the talismanic Eben Etzebeth, but in some typical Rassie Erasmus mind games, the towering lock made a dramatic, sudden recovery to take a spot on the bench.
Before Etzebeth’s return was confirmed, Erasmus said this at the team announcement: “We announced [the team] on Monday morning internally, with Eben out, because our policy is that if you can’t train on a Monday, you can’t play on a Saturday or Sunday. But then Eben goes and does the whole training session on Monday.”
A day later, Etzebeth is back in, with poor old Marco van Staden missing out after having previously been told he would be playing.
The confirmed team line-ups, including that Etzebeth inclusion, are next!