The Springboks beat the All Blacks 29-24 in a thrilling third Test to move 2-1 up in the series. Here’s what we learned.
South Africa (1.55) produced a dramatic second-half comeback to beat New Zealand (2.55) 29-24 in Soweto on Saturday. The result puts the Springboks 2-1 up with one Test remaining in Baltimore next weekend.
The Springbok Bench Delivered Decisively
South Africa’s much-discussed bench finally justified its reputation after quiet performances in the first two Tests. Trailing 17-12 with time running out, replacements Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Lood de Jager, Morne van den Berg and Manie Libbok transformed the contest.
Jesse Kriel’s individual try sparked a 17-point response that ultimately secured victory. The bench then helped South Africa win a decisive scrum penalty before mauling over for Malcolm Marx’s try. That combination of power and composure proved the difference in a fiercely contested finish.
South Africa’s Scrum Remained Utterly Dominant
Wilco Louw and Ox Nche again proved too strong for New Zealand’s front row throughout the contest. New Zealand conceded six scrum penalties across the eighty minutes, an emphatic statistical statement.
George Bower struggled particularly badly, conceding two penalties on his own throughout the match. The dominant platform ultimately produced the penalty try that levelled the score before halftime.
Even coach Dave Rennie admitted his side had no answer to South Africa’s set-piece power: “They got rewarded for dominance at times so no issues with that,” Rennie said afterwards.
Midfield Maestros Kriel And De Allende Found New Zealand’s Weakness
Both of South Africa’s open-play tries came down the same defensive channel all afternoon. Damian de Allende created space for Kurt-Lee Arendse’s try in the twenty-first minute. Kriel later beat winger Leroy Carter one-on-one to score the go-ahead try himself.
Carter, a specialist wing, found himself repeatedly exposed against South Africa’s powerful midfield combination. That tactical pattern gives New Zealand a clear problem to address before the series finale.
All Blacks’ Lineout Improved, But One Miss Proved Costly
New Zealand fixed their lineout issues from previous weeks, improving their success rate to 92% overall. Hooker Asafo Aumua threw accurately for most of the contest after early struggles in Cape Town.
However, a missed throw near halfway led directly to Arendse’s opening try in open play. That single error cost New Zealand seven points in an ultimately five-point defeat.
New Zealand Left Counting The Cost Of Defeat As Casualty List Grows
New Zealand suffered significant injuries during the contest, further complicating preparations for next weekend’s finale. Captain Ardie Savea dislocated his shoulder and will not travel to Baltimore. Quinn Tupaea also suffered a serious knee injury just minutes into the second half.
Rennie confirmed both players’ World Cup year could now be seriously affected by these setbacks. South Africa also lost Cheslin Kolbe to a broken jaw during the same afternoon.
Both squads have since flown to Baltimore together, carrying significant injury concerns into the series decider. South Africa cannot lose the series outright, but New Zealand can still force a share of the spoils.
