South Africa inflict first loss of year on New Zealand to level series
South Africa dealt New Zealand their first defeat of the year to level their four-Test series as they ran out 33-26 victors in Cape Town.
The Springboks, over the whitewash in just the second minute, scored all three of their tries in the first half to build a pressure-inducing 24-14 lead by half-time.
Cheslin Kolbe converted them all plus four penalties to keep his side in control on the scoreboard. Kolbe was named the player of the match, having made all 11 of his shots at the posts in the series.
Read more
Chris Wilson29 August 2026 19:49
The deeper significance behind South Africa and New Zealand’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series
While four Tests between the southern hemisphere heavyweights whet the appetite, this is as much a venture born out of mutual commercial benefit as any great demand for more meetings between the pair. Indeed, there is a degree of rankling resentment at the manner in which the two unions have broken away from the Rugby Championship, a competition that has found new life in recent years. But these encounters, titled “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry”, carry all the hallmarks of that term – genuine history, genuine hostility, genuine best-of-the-best feel.
There will be touring teams of old that may scoff at the schedule facing the All Blacks, but this is a gruelling itinerary for modern times. New Zealand will criss-cross the Rainbow Nation with four games against the United Rugby Championship (URC) franchises interspersed among four fully-fledged Tests, with half of each played at altitude. They will not need reminding of the strength and depth of South African rugby, or the hunger of those on the fringes to force their way into Springboks contention.
Still, though, it feels as if these All Blacks have plenty to prove. There were encouraging early signs at the start of the Rennie regime in July’s Nations Championship fixtures, but New Zealand are clearly playing catch-up after two ultimately wasted years under Scott Robertson.
(Getty)
Harry Latham-Coyle29 August 2026 20:15
Rennie’s comments on four-Test series
“With eight matches in six weeks, including a four-Test series against the Springboks, this would have to be the toughest tour in rugby,” All Blacks coach Dave Rennie said on the series ahead f the first game.
“Every player will be required to play their part across this tour, whether it’s preparing to play or helping their mates prepare.
“It will be an intense seven weeks of touring but an excellent opportunity for us to pit ourselves against the current benchmark team in world rugby, and to build connections with each other in a way that only a tour of this scale can do,” he added.
Chris Wilson29 August 2026 19:25
The deeper significance behind South Africa and New Zealand’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series
They are known as “The Incomparables”, a nickname to daunt a group of successors to whom they will find themselves inevitably compared. When Dave Rennie unveiled his New Zealand squad for the tour of South Africa, present were a selection of the 1996 All Blacks who, 30 years ago, conquered the reigning world champion Springboks in their own backyard and launched rugby union’s professional age. Three decades on, the echoes of that series still sound; again, this much-anticipated meeting of men’s rugby’s two ruling powers carries with it a significance beyond simply the sport at its centre.
Harry Latham-Coyle29 August 2026 19:05
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry schedule & results
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry schedule (all times BST)
29 August: South Africa 33-26 New Zealand
5 September: South Africa vs New Zealand (4.10pm, Johannesburg) THIRD TEST
12 September: South Africa vs New Zealand (10pm, Baltimore) FOURTH TEST
(Getty)
Chris Wilson29 August 2026 18:53
In pics: South Africa level the series
(Reuters)
(Reuters)
(Getty)
Chris Wilson29 August 2026 18:43
The series continues next week in Johannesburg, with the two sides facing off on Saturday, 5 September. Kick-off in that one is at 4pm BST.
The series ends a week after that on 12 September as the two sides face off in Baltimore, in the USA. That game begins at 10pm BST, and the series will be settled there one way or another.
Chris Wilson29 August 2026 18:36
Kolisi: ‘It’s been a tough week’
“It’s been great, it’s been a tough week. The All Blacks played really well last week and again this week,” said Sprongboks captain Siya Kolisi at full-time.
“We knew what we needed to do. I want to credit the coaches, the plans that they make. Last week we didn’t take our opportunities but we did this week.
“I want to thank everyone who came out to support. We wouldn’t be here without you,” he added.
(Getty)
Chris Wilson29 August 2026 18:30
Savea: ‘We were chasing the game’
“It’s unfortunate. We kind of let the Springboks get ahead in the first two minutes and we were chasing the game after that.
“But I’m proud of the boys, we stuck in there and fought but we came up short. It’s a bitter pill to swallow but we need to go again next week.
“Our inaccuracy and discipline, they punished us today. We’ve got to sort that out. We’ve lost the battle tonight but we haven’t lost the war – we’ll go again,” he added.
(Reuters)
Chris Wilson29 August 2026 18:23
Kolbe: ‘We want to do the jersey proud’
South Africa’s Cheslin Kolbe was named player of the match, and here’s what he had to say at full-time:
“We could feel the mood in the week this week from South Africa fans. When we get the opportunity to wear this jersey, we want to do you guys proud, we want to do the jersey proud.
“Thank you for being behind us and sticking with us, we’ll just keep going from here and continue to learn.”
On his own performance, he added: “That’s Test rugby, you need to take every point that’s given to you. Last week we didn’t capitalise on that and it’s credit to the boys for sticking to the plan today and taking the points on offer.”
Chris Wilson29 August 2026 18:18