South Africa beats New Zealand 29-24 to take 2-1 lead in four-test series

Springboks take series lead in Johannesburg

South Africa defeated New Zealand 29-24 at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday, moving 2-1 ahead in the four-test series branded Rugby's Greatest Rivalry. A crowd of 87,976 spectators at Soccer City watched the world's top-ranked Springboks overcome a first-half deficit against the second-ranked All Blacks. Both teams scored four tries across the contest, matching each other in try count for the first time in the series. The victory in Soweto ensures South Africa cannot lose the four-match tour, following their comeback from an opening test defeat a fortnight ago.

First-half tries and Savea injury

New Zealand opened the scoring in the 11th minute after hooker Asafo Aumua was tackled near the South African try line, allowing captain Ardie Savea to pick up from the base, find a gap, and dive over. Ruben Love added the conversion to establish an early 7-0 lead for the visitors. South Africa responded in the 22nd minute when center Damian de Allende combined with winger Kurt-Lee Arendse, who surged over in the corner. Four minutes later, New Zealand winger Leroy Carter used a burst of pace to set up Savea for his second try of the match, restoring a 12-5 advantage. Savea was forced off with a shoulder injury after 30 minutes, removing the All Blacks captain from the contest. South Africa leveled the score at 12-12 before halftime when referee intervention awarded the hosts a penalty try following a dominant scrum near the All Blacks goal line.

Second-half forward dominance

New Zealand regained a 17-12 advantage 15 minutes into the second half when Carter gathered a downfield kick and fed Will Jordan, who raced through open space for a try. Love missed the conversion attempt from a manageable angle, leaving New Zealand five points ahead. South Africa took their first lead of the match on the hour mark as center Jesse Kriel shrugged off Carter and drove over the line, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu adding the conversion for a 19-17 edge. Feinberg-Mngomezulu, stepping into the primary kicking role due to an injury to Cheslin Kolbe, also slotted a penalty kick 10 minutes from full time. The Springboks forward pack then drove an extended lineout maul across the line, where hooker Malcolm Marx grounded the ball between the posts. Samisoni Taukei'aho scored for New Zealand on the final play and Damian McKenzie kicked the conversion, concluding the match at 29-24.

Series finale set for Baltimore

The result leaves the four-test series standing at two wins for South Africa and one for New Zealand heading into the final fixture. New Zealand won the opening encounter 33-16 in Johannesburg before South Africa evened the contest with a 33-26 win in Cape Town. Kicking accuracy proved decisive in the third test, as New Zealand lost seven potential points off the tee with Love converting only one of his four attempts. The tour moves to the United States for the fourth test next Saturday in Baltimore. A victory in Baltimore would deliver South Africa their first test series victory over New Zealand since 1976, while the All Blacks seek a victory to level the tour at 2-2.