In a commanding performance, South Africa clinched the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test series by defeating New Zealand 43-28 in Baltimore, securing a 3-1 series victory. The Springboks outpaced the All Blacks with a powerful second-half display after a closely contested start. Among the standout performers, Damian de Allende scored in both halves, while Morne van den Berg, Malcolm Marx, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Cameron Hanekom each added to South Africa’s tally with tries.
New Zealand managed to put points on the board through Codie Taylor, Will Jordan, Ethan Blackadder, and Beauden Barrett, yet they struggled to match the Springboks’ pace and intensity. South Africa dominated in key areas such as the breakdown, set-pieces, and aerial contests, which proved pivotal in maintaining their advantage throughout the match.
The All Blacks showed signs of a potential comeback when they closed the gap to 29-21. However, South Africa’s Kurt-Lee Arendse dashed their hopes with a remarkable solo effort, breaking through New Zealand’s defense and racing across the field to score a try that reinstated South Africa’s firm control over the game.
The match was briefly paused for over eight minutes due to a communication issue among the match officials, though this disruption had no bearing on the final outcome. South Africa’s victory solidifies their status as world champions, leaving New Zealand to reflect on their performance and focus on the positives as they prepare for the upcoming 2027 Rugby World Cup.