In a decisive victory, South Africa triumphed over New Zealand 43-28 in Baltimore, clinching the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test series 3-1. The Springboks showcased a commanding performance, particularly in the second half, after New Zealand kept the game competitive in the early stages. Damian de Allende led the scoring with tries in both halves, supported by Morne van den Berg, Malcolm Marx, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Cameron Hanekom, who each crossed the line for South Africa.
New Zealand’s efforts included tries from Codie Taylor, Will Jordan, Ethan Blackadder, and Beauden Barrett, but they struggled to match the intensity of the Springboks. South Africa’s dominance was evident in key areas such as the breakdown, set-piece, and aerial battles, which played a crucial role in their victory.
The All Blacks briefly narrowed the gap to 29-21, raising hopes of a comeback. However, an impressive individual effort from Arendse, who made a spectacular run from deep within his own half, dashed their hopes. His try, characterized by evading multiple defenders, solidified South Africa’s control over the match.
The game experienced a pause of over eight minutes due to a communication breakdown among match officials, though this interruption did not impact the final outcome. South Africa’s win further cements their stature as world champions, while New Zealand aims to build on the positive aspects from this series as they set their sights on the 2027 Rugby World Cup.