New Zealand delivered a controlled second-half performance to beat South Africa 33-16 in Johannesburg on Saturday, taking a 1-0 lead in the four-test series.
The Springboks held a 13-12 advantage at half-time but fell apart after the break, eventually finishing with 13 men following yellow cards for Marco van Staden and Cobus Reinach. South Africa's inability to convert sustained pressure into points proved decisive — the home side made numerous entries into the All Blacks' 22 without reward.
Will Jordan, returning from injury for his first tour appearance, scored twice. Josh Moorby, Fabian Holland and Luke Jacobsen added one each, with flyhalf Ruben Love converting four. South Africa's only try came from Andre Esterhuizen.
Cheslin Kolbe — preferred over Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu as goal kicker — opened the scoring with a fifth-minute penalty. Jordan responded by eluding Grant Williams to score in the corner, before Esterhuizen, on as an early replacement for the head-injured Kurt-Lee Arendse, restored the lead. The hybrid back shrugged off Moorby's tackle to score and Kolbe converted for 10-5. New Zealand edged back in front when a Tupou Vaa'i offload released Moorby, but two Kolbe penalties gave South Africa a 13-12 lead at the break.
A third Kolbe penalty seven minutes into the second half extended the advantage to 16-12, but New Zealand then took control. Holland scored after blocking a Williams clearance, and Jacobsen barged over from a five-metre scrum — Love converting both to put the tourists 26-16 ahead. Kolbe then limped off, replaced by Reinach, and the yellow cards that followed allowed Jordan to add a soft late try from a long Ardie Savea pass.
The second test is in Cape Town on 29 August.