South Africa staged a second-half comeback to defeat the All Blacks 29-24 at FNB Stadium in Johannesburgh, with Malcolm Marx and Jesse Kriel scoring crucial tries before Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s late penalty helped the Springboks hold off a dramatic New Zealand fightback.
The victory gives the Springboks a 2-1 lead in the four-Test Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
New Zealand made the stronger start, with captain Ardie Savea crossing for the opening try in the 10th minute before Ruben Love converted to give the All Blacks a 7-0 lead.
Kurt-Lee Arendse responded with South Africa’s opening try in the 20th minute, before Savea crossed for his second five minutes later as New Zealand moved 12-5 ahead.
However, the Springboks were awarded a penalty try in the 36th minute, bringing the scores level at 12-all heading into half-time.
The All Blacks regained the lead in the 55th minute when Will Jordan crossed to make it 17-12, but the advantage did not last long.
Jesse Kriel hit back with a try two minutes later and Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted as South Africa took the lead for the first time at 19-17.
The momentum then swung firmly towards the Springboks, with replacement hooker Malcolm Marx powering over in the 65th minute.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu added the conversion to stretch South Africa’s advantage to 26-17 before landing a penalty in the 70th minute to give the hosts a 12-point cushion at 29-17.
The All Blacks refused to go away and launched one final attack, with Samisoni Taukei'aho scoring after the 80-minute mark and Damian McKenzie converting.
But the late seven-pointer was not enough, as South Africa held on for the 29-24 victory in Johannesburg.
Both sides finished with four tries, but South Africa’s second-half surge and Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s boot ultimately proved the difference.
The two rugby heavyweights will now head to Baltimore in the United States for the fourth and final Test next Sunday, with kick-off at 9am.
Source: Rugby Pass
