In a commanding display, South Africa triumphed over New Zealand with a 43-28 victory in Baltimore, clinching the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test series with a 3-1 win. The Springboks showcased a powerful second-half performance, pulling away decisively after a closely contested start. Damian de Allende was instrumental, scoring in both halves, while contributions from Morne van den Berg, Malcolm Marx, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Cameron Hanekom solidified their lead.
Despite efforts from New Zealand, who saw Codie Taylor, Will Jordan, Ethan Blackadder, and Beauden Barrett cross the try line, the All Blacks struggled to keep pace with South Africa’s formidable intensity. The Springboks’ dominance was particularly evident in the breakdowns, set-pieces, and aerial duels, which significantly contributed to their eventual victory.
The All Blacks managed to narrow the gap to 29-21, hinting at a potential comeback. However, any hope was swiftly dashed by a stunning solo effort from Arendse, who embarked on a remarkable run from deep in his own half, evading defenders and scoring to restore South Africa’s commanding position.
During the match, a technical issue caused an eight-minute disruption due to a communication failure among the match officials. Nevertheless, this interruption did not alter the course of the game, which firmly remained in South Africa’s favor.
With this victory, South Africa reinforces its status as the reigning world champions. Meanwhile, New Zealand will aim to extract positives from the series as they strategize and prepare for the upcoming 2027 Rugby World Cup.