JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — The Springboks beat the All Blacks 29-24 at FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday, 5 September 2026, taking a 2-1 lead in their four-Test series. South Africa and New Zealand were level 12-12 at half-time before the home pack drove the decisive second-half surge.
The result was confirmed in the All Blacks' official match report, which also made clear that New Zealand can still draw the series by winning the fourth Test in Baltimore on 12 September.
What was the Springboks vs All Blacks score? South Africa won 29-24 in Soweto after the teams reached half-time level at 12-12. Tries from Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel and Malcolm Marx, plus a penalty try, moved the Springboks 2-1 ahead before the final Test in Baltimore.
South Africa changed the match after half-time
New Zealand started quickly through captain Ardie Savea, whose two first-half tries put the visitors in front. Kurt-Lee Arendse answered for South Africa, and a penalty try from sustained scrum pressure helped the Springboks reach the interval level.
The contest turned after the break. Will Jordan restored New Zealand's lead, but Jesse Kriel responded for South Africa before Malcolm Marx finished a powerful rolling maul. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted two tries and added a penalty, stretching the home advantage to 29-17.
Replacement hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho scored after the final hooter, with Damian McKenzie converting, but the late points could not change the result. Rugby Australia’s report and the Associated Press match account both recorded the same 29-24 score and 12-12 half-time position.
For readers following South African sport, XTRAfrica's earlier guide to Springbok coverage and broadcast options gives wider viewing context, while the site’s report on the Springboks' coaching structure explains the staff behind the team.
A landmark evening for Siya Kolisi
Sky Sports reported that the victory was Siya Kolisi's 55th Test win as Springbok captain, moving him to a new national record. The Sky Sports match report described the crowd at FNB Stadium watching South Africa recover from an early deficit and take control through the forwards.
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Springboks Beat All Blacks 29-24 in Soweto
Sep 6, 2026
Sep 6, 2026
4 min read
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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — The Springboks beat the All Blacks 29-24 at FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday, 5 September 2026, taking a 2-1 lead in their four-Test series. South Africa and New Zealand were level 12-12 at half-time before the home pack drove the decisive second-half surge.
The result was confirmed in the All Blacks' official match report, which also made clear that New Zealand can still draw the series by winning the fourth Test in Baltimore on 12 September.
What was the Springboks vs All Blacks score? South Africa won 29-24 in Soweto after the teams reached half-time level at 12-12. Tries from Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel and Malcolm Marx, plus a penalty try, moved the Springboks 2-1 ahead before the final Test in Baltimore.
South Africa changed the match after half-time
New Zealand started quickly through captain Ardie Savea, whose two first-half tries put the visitors in front. Kurt-Lee Arendse answered for South Africa, and a penalty try from sustained scrum pressure helped the Springboks reach the interval level.
The contest turned after the break. Will Jordan restored New Zealand's lead, but Jesse Kriel responded for South Africa before Malcolm Marx finished a powerful rolling maul. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted two tries and added a penalty, stretching the home advantage to 29-17.
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Replacement hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho scored after the final hooter, with Damian McKenzie converting, but the late points could not change the result. Rugby Australia’s report and the Associated Press match account both recorded the same 29-24 score and 12-12 half-time position.
For readers following South African sport, XTRAfrica's earlier guide to Springbok coverage and broadcast options gives wider viewing context, while the site’s report on the Springboks' coaching structure explains the staff behind the team.
A landmark evening for Siya Kolisi
Sky Sports reported that the victory was Siya Kolisi's 55th Test win as Springbok captain, moving him to a new national record. The Sky Sports match report described the crowd at FNB Stadium watching South Africa recover from an early deficit and take control through the forwards.
The result also gave South Africa a third consecutive home win over New Zealand in this series after the Boks lost the opening Test and responded in Cape Town. The third Test did not clinch the four-match series: a New Zealand win in Baltimore would produce a 2-2 draw.
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That distinction matters because some early summaries called Soweto a series-clinching victory. The official New Zealand account says the All Blacks still have a chance to share the series, and that is the controlling position before the last match.
Injuries reshape the Baltimore finale
Both teams lost important players during the Soweto Test. The All Blacks said Savea left with a shoulder injury and will not travel to the United States. South Africa also lost Cheslin Kolbe early after a collision, forcing a backline reshuffle.
The Daily Maverick match analysis credited South Africa's scrum, maul and second-half control while noting that the final fixture remains important. Selection and medical updates from the two national unions should determine who is available for Baltimore.
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The match also arrived one week after an Airlink flyover above the Cape Town Test attracted a safety review. XTRAfrica has separately followed the South African storm warnings that affected public planning around the Soweto weekend.
South Africa travel to Baltimore with a 2-1 advantage and the opportunity to win the series outright. New Zealand need victory to finish level at 2-2. The immediate confirmation points are the teams' injury reports and selections for 12 September. Savea is already ruled out for New Zealand, while South Africa must assess Kolbe and any other players carrying injuries from a demanding third Test.
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