The Springboks sealed a 3-1 series win in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry with an emphatic victory over the All Blacks at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday.
The six-try 43-28 triumph marked Rassie Erasmus’ 100th Test in charge of the Boks since 2018, and the result also extended South Africa’s grip on the world No 1 ranking – a spot the world champions reclaimed after bouncing back from their series-opening defeat at Ellis Park with wins in Cape Town and Joburg.
The Boks took a 17-14 lead into the break after a first half that lasted almost an hour due to several stoppages, including a lengthy delay caused by a breakdown in communication between the match officials.
Tries from Damian de Allende and Morné van den Berg, converted by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, powered the men in green and gold in front, with All Blacks skipper Codie Taylor and the prolific Will Jordan dotting down for the Kiwis.
RED HOT
Morné van den Berg sells the dummy and goes over 🤌
Stream #RugbysGreatestRivalry on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/B6WJX4lZd2
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) September 12, 2026
Malcolm Marx, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cameron Hanekom crossed the whitewash in the second stanza to entertain 68,173 supporters, the highest crowd attendance for a rugby union match on American soil.
The 10-cap Van den Berg started just his third Test, Damian Willemse slotted in at fullback for the injured Cheslin Kolbe and Feinberg-Mngomezulu kept the No 10 jersey for a fifth straight Test.
Taylor led a reshuffled All Blacks side after Ardie Savea’s injury, with Richie Mo’unga recalled at flyhalf in his first Test since the 2023 World Cup final against Erasmus’ troops.
In the build-up, Bok captain Siya Kolisi noted the threat of a “different” New Zealand approach given Dave Rennie’s changes, and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick warned that Mo’unga’s return would make the Kiwis bolder in the wide channels.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu opened the scoring with a penalty before Taylor finished a well-worked All Blacks attack. De Allende then crossed before Man of the Match Van den Berg scored from the back of a maul.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu also missed a long-range penalty and drop goal attempt
New Zealand hit back through right winger Jordan – his 55th Test try – after 32 phases of pressure, with fullback Damian McKenzie converting.
The opening half was further disrupted by injuries to Taylor and centre Anton Lienert-Brown, who was replaced by Rieko Ioane, while No 8 Peter Lakai also underwent an HIA.
The South Africans took control after the break, Marx powering over from a dominant maul before Du Toit finished another close-range attack. Van den Berg added the extras.
Pieter-Steph du Toit
The Springboks go over for the fourth try of the day
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) September 12, 2026
New Zealand responded through flanker Ethan Blackadder, but the Boks regained momentum. Arendse pounced on a loose ball to score, then Hanekom produced a turnover near the All Blacks’ line and finished the move himself.
Replacement Manie Libbok converted both scores, before veteran All Blacks playmaker Beauden Barrett bagged a consolation touchdown on the hooter.
The Boks now have a week’s break before a one-off Test against the Wallabies in Perth on Sunday, 27 September, while the All Blacks next face Australia in the Bledisloe Cup on 10 October.
SPRINGBOKS – Tries: Damian de Allende, Morné van den Berg, Malcolm Marx, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cameron Hanekom. Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2), Van den Berg, Manie Libbok (2). Penalty: Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
ALL BLACKS – Tries: Codie Taylor, Will Jordan, Ethan Blackadder, Beauden Barrett. Conversions: Damian McKenzie (4).
Photo: @Springboks/X
The post Boks clinch Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry crown appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Springboks sealed a 3-1 series win in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry with an emphatic victory over the All Blacks at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday.
The post Boks clinch Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry crown appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
