Eden Park remains untouchable. New Zealand stretched their unbeaten run at the Auckland fortress to 51 Tests with a gritty 24–17 win over South Africa, built on a flying start and a defensive masterclass that held firm when the Springboks came charging late.
Emoni Narawa’s sharp finish inside two minutes lit the fuse, Will Jordan’s record-chasing try added daylight, and Quinn Tupaea’s second-half strike punished a costly yellow card. Yet the scoreboard does not tell the full story.
South Africa enjoyed 60 per cent territory and more possession, while the All Blacks were under siege at the scrum. What separated the sides was defensive efficiency and game-breaking moments, capped by Ardie Savea winning a turnover penalty on his 100th cap to seal the result.
With Scott Robertson’s men bouncing back from defeat in Buenos Aires, here is how the All Blacks fared at Eden Park.
1. Ethan de Groot 6
Gritty shift in a gnarly set piece arm wrestle. Seven tackles and a couple of tough carries without ever flipping momentum. Penalised once and felt the squeeze when the Boks got their timing right. Stuck to his task and helped absorb pressure late when exits got messy.
2. Codie Taylor 6
Short night after the head check, but his throws set an early platform before rhythm dipped. South Africa targeted the contest, and he could not fully settle it. No real chance to impose himself as a carrier. Taukei’aho’s impact after the break showed what was missing.
3. Fletcher Newell 6
Earned parity for long stretches against serious power, then faded as the Boks rotated fresh beef. Two carries and five tackles paint the picture. Not bullied but rarely dominant. One of those tighthead outings where reliability mattered more than fireworks, and he mostly delivered that.
4. Scott Barrett 6
Busy defender with ten tackles and a couple of key maul disruptions, yet two turnovers will sting on review. Leadership is steady under a rising territorial tide. Carried into a green wall more than once. Set the lineout detail well enough, but never completely shut the door.
5. Tupou Vaa’i 8
Best lock on the field. Eleven tackles, two turnovers and an offload that changed field position. Footwork before contact bought precious metres when the gain line was clogged. Read the cues at the breakdown and nicked momentum steals that stalled South African surges.
6. Simon Parker 7
Fourteen tackles and a turnover on a night that demanded hard standards. One dominant hit set a tone and his work rate on folds and inside cleans was relentless. Carry count is low, but that was not the assignment. Looked completely at home against world champion traffic.
7. Ardie Savea 8.5
Numbers are tidy rather than wild, but the moment was massive. Eleven tackles, a turnover, three defenders beaten and the game-sealing steal that every open side dreams about on a century cap. Did the ugly work when the match tilted into the trenches.
8. Wallace Sititi 8
Big man, big touches. Thirteen carries and a smart inside ball for Jordan’s try. Nineteen metres does not capture how often he bent South Africa backwards on first contact. Nine tackles as well. The ceiling keeps going u,p and the trust from teammates is obvious.
9. Finlay Christie 6
Seven tackles and clean service, but tempo drifted in the middle third. Box kicking was mostly contestable and brought breathers when the Boks loaded the front door. Needed a little more bite around the ruck to hold defenders. Handed a solid platform to Preston late.
10. Beauden Barrett 7
Two try assists and a laser-guided 50:22 at a key moment. Managed territory in wind and rain with veteran calm. Did not overplay his hand when South Africa came hunting. Five tackles and clear communication into the backfield kept exits composed.
11. Rieko Ioane 4
Threatened when the ball finally reached him, but South Africa squeezed his space all night. Seventeen metres from four carries and tidy defensive decisions on the edge. Worked hard on kick chase and clean-up duty. The break did not quite open for him.
12. Jordie Barrett 7
A glue piece again. Ten tackles and three defenders beaten, plus thirteen hard-earned metres in traffic. Took heat off Beauden with secondary kicking and stayed calm when the Boks flooded the midfield ruck. Not flashy, very effective, exactly what the match demanded.
13. Billy Proctor 6
Nineteen metres and five tackles with smart reads on Kolbe’s inside traffic. Did the unsung work of closing gates and tidying loose ball. One half chance went begging when he could not free his hands. Systems’ first contribution that coaches love and crowds barely notice.
14. Emoni Narawa 7
Perfect start with the finish that laid the platform for his side’s victory. One clean break and tidy work under the high ball before injury forced the reshuffle after six minutes. Set the defensive spacing early, which helped Jordan hunt on the other edge. Short stint, strong impact.
15. Will Jordan 8.5
Game breaker again. Thirty-six metres, two line breaks, three defenders beaten and the try that stretched the scoreboard. Added a dominant tackle to halt a surge and patrolled the backfield with authority after the backline reshuffle. When he flashes, the whole venue lifts.
Replacements16. Samisoni Taukei’aho 7.5
Eleven carries with punch, four defenders beaten, and two turnovers won. Changed the contact picture and steadied the throw under heat.
17. Tamaiti Williams 6.5
Heavy shoulders in defence and no fuss at scrum time. Gave the pack a second wind when it was needed.
18. Tyrel Lomax 6.5
Brought scrum stability and tidy ruck work. A low error cameo that helped New Zealand close.
19. Fabian Holland 6
Clean lineout touch and effort carries. Three tackles in traffic and no drama in exit shapes.
20. Du’Plessis Kirifi 6.5
Energy injection with six tackles and fast line speed. One penalty was conceded in the late chaos.
21. Kyle Preston 6
Debut nerves handled. One vital cover takes near his own line and crisp distribution in the final sets.
22. Quinn Tupaea 7
Arrived with purpose and finished the momentum try through traffic. Two defenders beaten and strong contact skills.
23. Damian McKenzie 7.5
Composed from the tee and lively in backfield coverage. Thirteen metres with ball and a couple of sharp counter touches.
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