The All Blacks drew first blood in the opening Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series with a resounding victory over the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday evening.
Two tries from winger Will Jordan and the boot of flyhalf Ruben Love helped clinch a five-tries-to-one 33-16 win after the Boks led 13-12 at half-time in Johannesburg.
A first-half try from replacement André Esterhuizen and eight points from the kicking tee for winger Cheslin Kolbe powered the hosts into the lead going into the interval.
But the men in green and gold will be ruing their ill-discipline at the death with yellow cards shown to substitutes Marco van Staden and Cobus Reinach.
Since winning the 2019 World Cup, South Africa had beaten New Zealand seven times in 11 previous meetings, and the back-to-back world champions will now turn their attention to next Saturday’s encounter at Cape Town Stadium.
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Rassie Erasmus, though, will be sweating over the availability of speedster Kurt-Lee Arendse, hauled off early and permanently replaced due to a failed HIA test, and Kolbe, who limped off before the start of the final quarter in the match.
The Kiwis beat the Stormers (38-21), Sharks (54-0) and Vodacom Bulls (50-19) over the last 15 days in Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria, respectively, and must quickly regroup for Tuesday’s clash against the Lions at Ellis Park.
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie was forced to make a late change to his match 23 on Saturday, loose forward Anton Segner withdrawn due to a swollen ankle and replaced by Simon Parker on the bench.
Damian de Allende became the 10th Bok to reach 100 Test caps when the two-time World Cup winner and veteran centre walked out with his wife and two children before kick-off.
The Bok 100 Club welcomes their newest member
Damian de Allende becomes the 10th South African to 100 Tests in Green and Gold
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— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) August 22, 2026
Kolbe’s early penalty opened the scoring before Jordan finished off a sharp Cam Roigard pass to hand the All Blacks the lead.
Esterhuizen, on for Arendse, barged his way over to restore the hosts’ advantage, before three-cap Josh Moorby scored his maiden Test try to put the visitors back in front.
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Kolbe’s second penalty edged the Boks ahead again, while hooker Malcolm Marx knocked on surging for the tryline off a promising maul just before the break.
The No 14 struck a third penalty after the restart to nudge the home team back in front, but All Blacks lock Fabian Holland pounced on his own charge-down to hit back within less than a minute.
Flanker Luke Jacobsen barged over from close range to stretch the visitors’ lead further.
The Boks were reduced to 13 men in the final quarter, Van Staden and Reinach sin-binned in quick succession, and Jordan capitalised with his second try of the match to put the result beyond doubt.
Ganda-ganda
André Esterhuizen brings major impact off the bench
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) August 22, 2026
SPRINGBOKS – Try: André Esterhuizen. Conversion: Cheslin Kolbe. Penalties: Kolbe (3).
ALL BLACKS – Tries: Will Jordan (2), Josh Moorby, Fabian Holland, Luke Jacobsen. Conversions: Ruben Love (4).
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
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The All Blacks drew first blood in the opening Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series with a resounding victory over the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday evening.
The post Five-try All Blacks punish Boks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
