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Live sport on SN this weekendAll Blacks stun world champion Springboks at Ellis Park
AP • August 23rd, 2026 6:08 am
Will Jordan ploughs over for one of his two tries in New Zealand's win over the Springboks | Photo: EPA
New Zealand have stunned South Africa, hammering the world champions 33-16 at their Ellis Park stronghold to draw first blood in their historic four-Test 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry' series in Johannesburg.
After surviving a ferocious first half on Saturday (Sunday NZT) to trail only 13-12, the All Blacks' deep belief and ability to produce something from nothing turned a tense contest into a rout by five tries to South Africa's one.
Man-of-the-match Will Jordan extended his run as New Zealand's record try scorer with two more, bookending scores from Josh Moorby, Fabian Holland and Luke Jacobson. Ruben Love kicked over four conversions.
South Africa's lone try came from Andre Esterhuizen with three penalties and a conversion from Cheslin Kolbe.
"We defended and defended, and then we were clinical when we got our opportunities. So, yeah, I'm proud, a massive effort," said Rennie.
"It's a great result for us, but we're wary of the response we'll get next week."
An attritional contest was always on the cards and it proved a slugfest at times as South Africa looked to impose their physicality -- but the All Blacks took them on toe-to-toe and emerged with a deserved win.
A scrum that was blown away in the first half eventually held firm in the second half and was the platform for New Zealand's final two tries in the last quarter.
The much-hyped four-Test series got off to a traditional start with the All Blacks' haka | Photo: EPA
South Africa paid for failing to take their many chances when they had New Zealand on the ropes in the first half.
So their 12-Test winning streak, which began by handing New Zealand their heaviest ever defeat, 43-10, in Wellington 11 months ago, was comprehensively ended.
The Springboks scrum was better than advertised until props Ox Nche and Wilco Louw were substituted.
The All Blacks celebrate after beating their old rivals at Ellis Park | Photo: EPA
An overconfidence in the set-piece made South Africa dismiss the chance of taking numerous kickable penalties at altitude to try and bury the All Blacks with tries.
But a backline that struggled to string any passes was easily corralled, putting too much on the likes of forwards Jasper Wiese, Malcolm Marx and Paul de Villiers to produce something.
When Rennie's New Zealand returned the pressure in the second half, South Africa gave away two yellow cards in the span of a minute and finished with 13 men.
It was a great triumph for All Blacks coach Dave Rennie | Photo: EPA
The tension in a packed Ellis Park deflated in the last 10 minutes as Springbok supporters realised a comeback wasn't possible.
"We shot ourselves in the foot," Boks captain Pieter-Steph du Toit said. "Unfortunately, in a game like this, small errors count."
The turning point was just before the hour. Kolbe had converted another scrum penalty into a 16-12 lead but, from the restart, New Zealand lock Holland charged down scrumhalf Grant Williams for a converted try and 19-16.
Two more scrum penalties pinned New Zealand in their 22 and flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was held up over the tryline.
Springboks' coach Rassie Erasmus shakes hands with New Zealand counterpart Dave Rennie | Photo: EPA
The Boks had a five-metre attacking scrum but, for the first time in the match, they were penalised for wheeling against New Zealand's replacement front row of George Bower, Asafo Aumua and Fletcher Newell.
"The reserve front row that came on, I think we probably owe them a beer," All Blacks scrumhalf Cam Roigard said. "We got a lot of energy from that."
The series now moves to sea level in Cape Town next Saturday and New Zealand are the surprising front-runners in the first full series between the teams in 30 years.
Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Jamie Hannah have been called into the All Blacks squad as injury replacements for Ethan de Groot and Josh Lord, while they progress through the World Rugby concussion protocols. They will leave New Zealand immediately to arrive in South Africa on Monday.
