South Africa kept their hopes of a Greatest Rugby Rivalry series win alive with a 33–26 win over the All Blacks at DHL Stadium in Cape Town. While they were not at their very best, the Boks always looked in control, bouncing back from their Ellis Park defeat to level the series at 1-1 ahead of the third Test.

The Springboks made an explosive start, driving upfield after winning the first lineout, with centre Jesse Kriel crossing for the opening try inside two minutes. The All Blacks responded well, with scrum-half Cam Roigard scoring after a burst down the right by wing Will Jordan. A Cheslin Kolbe penalty followed by a close-range try from Damian de Allende extended South Africa’s lead, before Damian McKenzie struck back for New Zealand. Siya Kolisi then crossed to give the Boks a 10-point cushion at half-time.

The second half saw Kolbe add a couple more penalties for the hosts before Leroy Carter finished off a patient All Blacks move. Ardie Savea then added another try to give the visitors late hope, but South Africa held on, surviving a Lood de Jager yellow card in the 79th minute for head contact to close the game out. The All Blacks outscored South Africa four tries to three, but Kolbe’s kicking from the tee made the difference.

World Rankings Picture

The Ellis Park loss a week earlier had ended a 12-match Springbok winning run and lifted the All Blacks to World Rugby’s No. 1 ranking, dropping South Africa to No. 2. Here is where the top five stood coming into today’s match:

World Rugby ranking points typically only update once the full round of Test matches is complete (usually the following Monday), so today’s win narrows the gap but is unlikely on its own to flip South Africa straight back to No. 1 — New Zealand still scored more tries and the margin was relatively close. Expect a modest points swing rather than a reversal at the top.

The Tour: Where It Stands

This is a four-Test series forming the centrepiece of the “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” tour — New Zealand’s first full tour of South Africa in 30 years, taking in eight matches including four Tests at Ellis Park, DHL Stadium, FNB Stadium, and, for the first time ever, a major North American venue in Baltimore.

Permutations: What Each Outcome Would Mean

Springboks win the series (2-1 or 3-1)

A statement response to the Ellis Park upset, and likely enough for South Africa to reclaim the World No. 1 ranking outright. Would reinforce Rassie Erasmus’s squad depth — this was a team that rotated Siya Kolisi to the bench for the series opener — heading into 2027 Rugby World Cup buildup.

All Blacks win the series

Given that the Ellis Park result had already ended a 12-match Bok winning run, a series win would cement Dave Rennie’s side as genuine top dogs again and would likely lock in the No. 1 ranking heading into New Zealand’s Bledisloe Cup campaign against Australia in October.

Series drawn 2-2

Still very much alive after today’s result. A draw would keep the rivalry narrative exactly that — a rivalry — with the ranking picture staying tight, probably still separated by fine margins similar to today’s scoreline.

Historical Context

This is only the second time in the fixture’s 110-Test history that a series of this scale has been played predominantly in South Africa. Across those 110 meetings, New Zealand lead 63 wins to 43, with 4 draws — a remarkably even rivalry given its length, which is part of why a series win here for either side carries symbolic weight well beyond the ranking points on offer.

Sources: SA Rugby, News24, The Citizen, FloRugby, RugbyPass, Sky Sports, ESPN — as of 29 August 2026.