In a thrilling encounter in Baltimore, South Africa triumphed over New Zealand with a commanding 43-28 victory, clinching the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test series 3-1. The Springboks showcased an impressive second-half performance, solidifying their dominance after a closely contested start. Damian de Allende was pivotal, scoring in both halves, while teammates Morne van den Berg, Malcolm Marx, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Cameron Hanekom also scored for the South African side.
The All Blacks put up a resilient fight, with Codie Taylor, Will Jordan, Ethan Blackadder, and Beauden Barrett contributing to their scoreline. However, they found it challenging to keep up with the intensity displayed by South Africa. The Springboks excelled particularly in the breakdown, set-piece, and aerial confrontations, which proved to be decisive in the match.
New Zealand managed to narrow the gap to 29-21 at one point, hinting at a possible comeback. However, Kurt-Lee Arendse dashed their hopes with a remarkable individual effort, starting from deep within his territory. His electrifying run through New Zealand’s defense culminated in a try that reestablished South Africa’s stronghold on the game.
During the match, an eight-minute interruption occurred due to a communication failure among the match officials. Despite this disruption, the outcome remained unchanged, as South Africa maintained their momentum and focus throughout.
This victory reinforces South Africa’s position as the reigning world champions. Meanwhile, New Zealand will aim to build on the positive aspects from the series as they prepare for the challenges ahead, including the 2027 Rugby World Cup.