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Springboks take series lead with 29-24 win over All Blacks in Johannesburg
South Africa beat New Zealand 29-24 at Soccer City to lead the four-match series 2-1, recovering from a 12-12 halftime draw with a decisive second-half performance built on tries from Arendse, a penalty try, Kriel and Marx.
Springboks edge All Blacks 29-24 to claim 2-1 series lead
South Africa secured a 29-24 victory over New Zealand at FNB Stadium on Saturday, taking a 2-1 lead in the four-match series. After a deadlocked first half, the Springboks surged to a 12-point advantage before conceding a late try. Kurt-Lee Arendse and Jesse Kriel crossed for crucial scores as the hosts dominated the second period.
Springboks overpower All Blacks in second half to lead series 2-1
A strong second-half display saw the Springboks beat New Zealand 29-24 in Johannesburg, moving to a 2-1 series lead.
Springboks edge All Blacks 29-24 in Johannesburg thriller
South Africa claimed a 29-24 victory over New Zealand at FNB Stadium in the third Test of the Castle Double Malt Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series. The match remained tight throughout, with the sides locked at 12-12 at half-time following tries from Kurt-Lee Arendse and a penalty try for the Springboks, while Ardie Savea crossed twice for the visitors. The result marks South Africa's first win over New Zealand at the Johannesburg venue.
South Africa 29-24 New Zealand: Springboks win third Test thriller in Johannesburg
South Africa end their FNB Stadium hoodoo against New Zealand, beating the All Blacks 29-24 in a tight third Test in Johannesburg.
Springboks and All Blacks locked at 12-12 after pulsating first half at FNB Stadium
The Springboks and All Blacks are locked at 12-12 at half-time at FNB Stadium, with Ardie Savea scoring twice for New Zealand and a Bok penalty try levelling things up after Kurt-Lee Arendse's earlier effort.
Kolisi vows Springboks will thank South African fans through effort in Soweto decider
Siya Kolisi has emphasised the significance of Saturday's clash with New Zealand at Soccer City, describing the match as an opportunity to thank supporters through performance rather than words. The Springboks captain acknowledged the historical weight of playing in Soweto, a township synonymous with South Africa's struggle for freedom, and said the team is targeting victory in the series decider before the exhibition fixture in Baltimore.
Kolisi draws on Soweto's history ahead of series-deciding All Blacks clash
Kolisi has drawn on Soweto's struggle history as motivation to end South Africa's losing record at Soccer City, with the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series tied 1-1 ahead of Saturday's third test.
Erasmus eyes hybrid role for De Villiers but rules out hooker switch
Erasmus has ruled out a hooker role for Paul de Villiers but sees the Stormers flank as a potential hybrid option across six and 12, in the mould of André Esterhuizen, while making clear that Siya Kolisi remains first choice at number six.
Kolisi: Boks playing to win series, not settle for draw at FNB
Siya Kolisi has underlined the stakes ahead of Saturday's third Test against New Zealand at FNB Stadium, insisting the Springboks are targeting a series victory rather than a draw. With the Freedom Cup on the line and the All Blacks eyeing a 2-1 claim on South African soil, assistant coach Mzwandile Stick warned that losing would hand New Zealand the psychological edge heading into the final fixture in Baltimore.
Sititi siblings set to make All Blacks and Black Ferns history at FNB Stadium
Wallace Sititi and his 19-year-old sister Amarante will both represent New Zealand at FNB Stadium on Saturday — against the Springboks and Springbok Women respectively — becoming the first All Black and Black Ferns sibling pairing in 28 years, with their father Semo Sititi, the former Manu Samoa captain, watching from the stands.
Weather threat won't alter All Blacks' approach, insists Savea
New Zealand captain Ardie Savea has dismissed concerns over forecast rain and thunderstorms ahead of Saturday's decisive third Test against South Africa at Soccer City. The All Blacks skipper stressed his side must improve across the board after last week's 33–26 defeat in Cape Town left the series level at 1–1.
Savea warns All Blacks must be clinical in decider as weather threatens Soccer City
Ardie Savea says bad weather at Soccer City will not change New Zealand's game plan but acknowledges the All Blacks must be more clinical than they were in Cape Town, where a poor start cost them the second test 33-26 and left the series level at 1-1.
Kolisi vows to honour Soweto's legacy as Boks face All Blacks decider
Siya Kolisi has framed Saturday's FNB Stadium showdown with New Zealand as a chance to repay the sacrifices of Soweto's past. With the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series locked at 1-1, the Springbok captain says the historic venue and its proximity to Soweto provide additional motivation ahead of the final home Test of the year. Around 80,000 fans are expected for a clash that pits South Africa's scrum dominance against the All Blacks' rejuvenated attack.
Springboks eye 2-1 home advantage as scrum debate overshadows Soweto decider
South Africa and New Zealand meet at FNB Stadium on Saturday with the series locked at 1-1 and both sides acutely aware that defeat ends any hope of claiming the four-match contest. Assistant coach Mzandile Stick has emphasised the importance of securing a 2-1 advantage on home soil, while the week has been dominated by set-piece scrutiny following complaints from both camps. Pieter-Steph du Toit returns to the only change in Rassie Erasmus's squad after injury ruled him out in Cape Town.
Stick flags 2-1 home series stakes as Boks prepare for Soweto showdown
Mzandile Stick has laid out the dual stakes of Saturday's Soweto Test — denying the All Blacks a 2-1 home-series claim and gaining a decisive advantage before the series finale in Baltimore — as Kolisi's loose forward trio prepares to set a new Springbok combination record.
Kolisi and Savea embody 'best of rugby' says veteran playmaker Gopperth
Former All Black Jimmy Gopperth has praised Siya Kolisi and Ardie Savea for exemplifying rugby's values after the Springbok captain was filmed embracing Savea's children following the Cape Town Test. The spontaneous gesture, which went viral, highlighted the respect between the rival captains despite the intensity of the Greatest Rivalry series.
World Rugby Rankings History Beckons as Springboks and All Blacks Clash in Soweto
South Africa and New Zealand will contest the world number one ranking for the third consecutive weekend when they meet at FNB Stadium on Saturday, with the possibility of an unprecedented rankings milestone. The Springboks hold a slender 0.54-point advantage after reclaiming top spot in Cape Town, but a New Zealand victory would mark the first time since rankings began in 2003 that the summit has changed hands three weeks running. The All Blacks have won both previous encounters at the Soweto venue.
Rankings permutations: How the Boks can extend their lead at the top
The Boks hold a 0.54-point lead over New Zealand heading into the Soweto Test, with a win by more than 15 points extending that gap to 3.38. A New Zealand victory would reclaim the top ranking and create three consecutive weeks of a No.1 change — a first in rankings history.
Rennie hands scrum debate to referee Amashukeli ahead of Soweto decider
Dave Rennie has named a heavier front row for Saturday's series decider at FNB Stadium and declared the scrum controversy now in referee Nika Amashukeli's hands, while flagging the aerial contest as a second key battleground after Cape Town.