South Africa 29-24 New Zealand: Springboks edge thriller to take 2-1 series lead in Soweto
South Africa beat New Zealand in thrilling third Test to secure 2-1 series lead and hand Siya Kolisi his record 55th victory as Springboks captain; series concludes with fourth and final Test in Baltimore, USA, on Saturday, live on Sky Sports
Saturday 5 September 2026 19:20, UK
South Africa came from behind to edge New Zealand 29-24 in a ferocious third Test that moved them 2-1 ahead in the 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry' series with one game remaining.
The Springboks and All Blacks traded four tries apiece in a pulsating contest that was as brutal as it was captivating in front of a capacity crowd of 87,976 in Soweto.
Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel and Malcolm Marx crossed for the Springboks, who were also awarded a penalty try, as they followed last week's narrow victory in Cape Town with another hard-fought triumph.
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New Zealand captain Ardie Savea scored two first-half tries before suffering a game-ending shoulder injury, while record try-scorer Will Jordan and hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho crossed late on for the All Blacks.
The teams now travel to Baltimore, USA, for the final instalment of the four-Test series, live on Sky Sports, where nothing less than victory will do for the All Blacks if they are to salvage something.
Springboks seize control of New Zealand series
It was another classic clash of Springbok forward power against flowing All Blacks attack, with New Zealand flying out of the blocks before being overwhelmed by South Africa's second-half surge.
The visitors struck first through captain Savea, who finished a quick line-out move after Asafo Aumua had charged at the home defence.
Arendse responded for the Springboks, diving over in the corner after a strong Damian de Allende handed Leroy Carter off.
Savea grabbed his second five minutes later, gathering a loose ball to score after Carter had burst down the left wing, but his afternoon ended early with a shoulder injury before South Africa's scrum forced a penalty try to level on the stroke of half-time.
Jordan restored New Zealand's lead and ignited the second half with his 54th Test try only for Kriel to race through after Carter missed another tackle.
That spark proved decisive, with Springboks might showcased by Marx's maul try and then underscored by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's penalty as Samisoni Taukei'aho's late score proved nothing more than a consolation.
'All Blacks pushed us to limits'
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi:
"We're so proud of the win today. It was a great game from the All Blacks. They pushed us to the limit, they came like a house on fire.
"That first 25 minutes, our lungs were pumping hard. We did so well to make sure we didn't concede more points and fight back. The way we finished at the end was a lot better than we did the last two weeks.
"We play for ourselves, for the Springboks, but most importantly, we play for the people of South Africa. We represent each and every single person here.
"We're thankful and grateful that we have the privilege, not pressure, to be able to change people's moods and make them feel good."
South Africa vs New Zealand Test series schedule
All games live on Sky Sports; kick-off times UK and Ireland
- First Test (Ellis Park) - South Africa 16-33 New Zealand
- Second Test (Cape Town Stadium) - South Africa 33-26 New Zealand
- Third Test (FNB Stadium) - South Africa 29-24 New Zealand
- Fourth Test (Saturday September 12) - M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, USA (10pm)
