South Africa vs New Zealand: Springboks show steel to secure 43-28 victory and 3-1 series win against All Blacks
South Africa entered the fourth Test with a 2-1 lead over New Zealand in the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series; They increased that to 3-1 with a 43-28 victory at the home of NFL's Baltimore Ravens
Sunday 13 September 2026 00:43, UK
South Africa put in a professional showing to secure a 43-28 victory over New Zealand in Baltimore and win the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series 3-1.
South Africa had a narrow 17-14 half-time lead thanks to a Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu penalty plus converted tries from Damien De Allende and Morné van den Berg.
However, New Zealand had scored early through Cody Taylor and then hit again late on through Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie converting both to put his side just three points adrift with 40 minutes to play.
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The game looked in the balance in the second half after converted tries from Malcolm Marx and Steph du Toit were met by an Ethan Blackadder effort.
However, Kurt-Lee Arendse took his opportunity to race away and score and was quickly followed up by Cameron Hanekom to seal a Springboks win, a Beauden Barrett late try merely a consolation.
Indeed, the Springboks took the win in front of the largest attendance ever at a rugby union match in the United States.
New Zealand went 1-0 up after a 33-16 win at Johannesburg's Ellis Park but then the Springboks hit back in the next two Tests. They won 33-26 in Cape Town and followed that up with a close 29-24 win at Soweto's FNB Stadium.
That meant Rugby's Greatest Rivalry had a grand finale in Baltimore which saw the Springboks prevail in the first traditional series between the two sides in 30 years.
Not only that, it was a victory that marked head coach Rassie Erasmus' 100th Test in charge.
USA sets stage for a Test to remember between two powerhouses
After a spine-tingling Haka from the All Blacks, the Baltimore crowd erupted as this fourth and final Test of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series got under way.
There was some early ill-discipline from both sides but as the game settled, and after an early Feinberg-Mngomezulu penalty, it was the All Blacks that crossed the whitewash first.
Some sensationally slick hands out to left edge opened the space for Taylor to run a fantastic line and score, McKenzie converting for a 7-3 lead.
The possession then all went in favour of the Springboks for much of the rest of the half. Poor handling from New Zealand gave away opportunities and off the back of a scrum, South Africa continuously powered over the gain line until De Allende eventually barrelled over and with the conversion, they had a 10-7 advantage after a breathless first 15 minutes.
After a brief break to fix a communication issue for the refereeing team, the game got back under way and South Africa pounced again on the 22nd minute. Off the back off the driving maul from five metres out Van den Berg through a delicious dummy to score.
Once again, the try was converted and it looked like South Africa had a comprehensive 17-7 lead. Frankly, they could have had more if they iced all their opportunities.
However, New Zealand were not done and just three minutes before half-time, and after 32 phases, the gap opened for Jordan to run through and score under the sticks for his 55th Test try.
The conversion from McKenzie had the game finely balanced at 17-14 with just 40 minutes of rugby remaining in this series.
South Africa made dominance pay in the second half when, off the back of a driving maul, Marx barrelled over and was quickly followed by Du Toit within the space of three minutes. Van den Berg converted the second try and with less than half an hour remaining, the Springboks had a 29-14 lead.
The All Blacks hit back through an Ethan Blackadder converted try which seemed to have the game finely poised at 29-21.
But, just as New Zealand looked to be firing in attack once again to race away and score, a knock on provided Arendse with an opportunity to show off his silky foot work, race away, and dive in under the sticks.
New Zealand's bubble was then firmly burst as, just four minutes later, Hanekom went over to make sure the series would go South Africa's way. Libbok converted both and a 43-21 lead looked enough.
Beauden Barrett did manage to add a late consolation try but it was merely that as South Africa showed once again why they are the No 1 team in world rugby.
Kolisi: The respect is always there
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi speaking on Sky Sports...
"I want to thank every South African here in the stadium and back at home.
"It was a special week to see you come out in umbers and support us. We are so grateful.
"We could hear you today. Thank you so much.
"To the New Zealand supporters too, thank you for coming to our beautiful country and embracing our culture.
"We go hard on each other on the field but the respect we have for each other is always there."
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 (Baltimore) - South Africa 43-28 New Zealand
