South Africa secured a narrow 29-24 victory over New Zealand in the third Test of their ongoing rugby series, held at FNB Stadium in Soweto on June 9, 2024. The win gives the Springboks a 2-1 lead in the four-match series, with a final fixture scheduled next weekend in Baltimore, USA.
The match was marked by intense physicality and skill, drawing an attendance of nearly 86,000 fans. South Africa, under the guidance of coach Rassie Erasmus, demonstrated a combination of forward power and expansive attacking rugby. A decisive moment came when South Africa’s forward pack executed a dominant driving maul from 20 metres out, culminating in a try by Malcolm Marx. Marx’s score symbolized the team’s strength and coordination and helped seal the encounter despite New Zealand’s late surge.
Siya Kolisi captained the Springboks for the 55th time, setting a new record for the team. South Africa’s approach blended traditional forward dominance—particularly visible in scrum and maul success—with fresh attacking options provided by players such as Manie Libbok, who entered the game after Cheslin Kolbe suffered a head injury early on. Libbok’s introduction added greater variety to the Springboks’ offensive game plan.
New Zealand, coached by Dave Rennie, showed moments of sharpness and resilience, with Ardie Savea playing a pivotal role before suffering a shoulder injury midway through the first half that ruled him out for the rest of the match. Savea scored twice during his 30 minutes on the field and was a key factor in keeping New Zealand competitive. Will Jordan also delivered strong performances, crossing for a try in the second half. Despite these individual efforts, the All Blacks struggled to overcome South Africa’s physical superiority, particularly in set-piece battles.
The match saw both teams exchange four tries each, with South Africa’s superior discipline at crucial moments helping swing the result in their favor. South African fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu contributed with two conversions and a penalty, while New Zealand’s captain Richie Mo’unga and replacement McKenzie added four points from conversions.
The game was not without controversy, particularly regarding the timing and strategy behind team selections, with some criticism aimed at South Africa’s late front-row changes before kick-off. Observers noted that Erasmus’s methods, while effective, pushed the boundaries of existing rules, sparking calls for clearer regulations on team announcements and substitutions.
Both sides displayed high skill levels and tactical nous, with the first half ending tied at 12-12. However, South Africa’s consistent pressure and superior breakdown skills allowed them to pull ahead in the second half. The All Blacks’ inability to counter South Africa’s maul and scrum dominance proved decisive in a tightly contested match.
The series continues to reflect the enduring intensity and competitiveness between two of rugby’s most decorated nations, emphasizing the physical and strategic demands required to succeed at the highest level. With one Test remaining at a neutral venue, New Zealand will seek to level the series, while South Africa aims to maintain their momentum and claim a series victory on foreign soil.