South Africa roared back into Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry as returning captain Siya Kolisi marked his comeback with a try in a thrilling 33-26 victory over New Zealand in Cape Town, levelling the four-Test series at 1-1.
The sides shared seven tries, with Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende and Kolisi crossing for the Springboks, either side of scores from Cam Roigard, Damian McKenzie and Leroy Carter. But Cheslin Kolbe’s 18 points from the tee ultimately proved decisive.
All Blacks captain Ardie Savea added a late fourth try for New Zealand – his 33rd in Test rugby – as the visitors finished with four tries to South Africa’s three, but they were unable to overcome Kolbe’s flawless accuracy.
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Two planes were involved in a very close call doing a flyover before South Africa and New Zealand’s Test in Cape Town
Savea had predicted before kick-off that New Zealand would face a “wounded beast”, and South Africa delivered an immediate response. Kriel crossed inside the opening two minutes, only for Roigard to hit back midway through a breathless opening quarter.
Kolbe’s first penalty and de Allende’s try either side of the 20-minute mark reasserted South African control. McKenzie’s converted score kept the All Blacks within touching distance, but Kolisi crashed over on the stroke of half-time to send the hosts into the break with a 24-14 lead.
The 32-year-old’s boot then tightened South Africa’s grip after the break, with two penalties in three minutes stretching the lead beyond two scores. Carter’s unconverted try briefly gave the All Blacks hope, but the wing’s fourth penalty effectively settled the contest.
South Africa’s Cheslin Kolbe scored four penalties and three conversions for South Africa (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
“We know last week we let it slip,” said Kolbe, who was named player of the match. “We could feel the mood from the South Africa fans. We just wanted to do the jersey proud, our families proud.
“You need to take every point given to you. That’s Test match rugby. We stuck to the plan to take the points on offer.”
Savea admitted the All Blacks had paid for their slow start.
“We kind of let the Springboks get ahead in the first two minutes and we were chasing the game,” said the New Zealand captain. “We stuck in there but we came up short. It’s a tough pill to swallow.
“We lost the battle tonight but we haven’t lost the war. We’ll get back on the horse this week and go again.”
The New Zealand captain also paid tribute to Pieter-Steph du Toit, who won his 100th cap, and Ox Nche, who won his 50th, for their respective milestones.
“It’s been a massive week,” Kolisi said. “Last week we didn’t take our opportunities but this week we did. Coach Rassie [Erasmus] always reminds us that this is not just about us, it’s about all of South Africa. We knew that the mood was down this past week.
“Next week is going to be big. Some of us are playing for the first time in Soweto. It’s hard playing them once. Playing them four times in a row is incredibly difficult.”
Defeat would have handed South Africa successive home losses for the first time since 2015, but Erasmus’ side instead travel to Johannesburg with momentum restored.
South Africa shut out pre-match disruption to level series
South Africa’s head coach Rassie Erasmus was forced to make more changes in the hours leading up to the game (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
South Africa’s preparations were anything but settled in the build-up to the game.
Erasmus made five changes to the team he had originally named, with Handre Pollard and Kurt-Lee Arendse withdrawing on Friday. That prompted the head coach to recall Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at fly-half, just a week after dropping him, while Kolbe was brought into the starting XV on the wing.
There was another late twist an hour before kick-off when Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp and Thomas du Toit were promoted to the starting front row. Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche and Wilco Louw consequently dropped to the bench, with no reason given for the last-minute reshuffle.
On a more positive note, Kolisi returned to captain the side after missing the opening Test, while two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Du Toit celebrated his 100th Test cap.
South Africa skipper Siya Kolisi scored on his return to the team
New Zealand made three changes from their victory at Ellis Park, with winger Leroy Carter replacing Josh Moorby, while George Bower and Tupou Vaa’i came into the pack for Ethan de Groot and Josh Lord, who were both ruled out with concussion. Ruben Love retained the fly-half jersey, while Beauden Barrett was again left out of the matchday 23.
The All Blacks’ five-try, 33-16 victory in Johannesburg had lifted them above the world champions to the top of the world rankings, giving Dave Rennie’s side the early advantage in the first full Test series between the nations in three decades.
But the response South Africa demanded duly arrived in Cape Town. The Springboks levelled the series at 1-1 and extended a formidable home record that has seen them lose just one series on South African soil in the past 30 years.
The tour, billed as Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, is New Zealand’s first full visit to South Africa since 1996. The All Blacks arrived in Cape Town unbeaten on the trip, having defeated the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls before narrowly escaping with victory over the Lions in a midweek clash in Johannesburg.
The series now moves to FNB Stadium for the third Test on September 5, before concluding with a historic first meeting on American soil at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium on September 12.
South Africa vs New Zealand Test series schedule
All games live on Sky Sports; kick-off times UK and Ireland
- First Test (Ellis Park) – South Africa 16-33 New Zealand
- Second Test (Cape Town Stadium) – South Africa 33-26 New Zealand
- Third Test (Saturday September 5) – FNB Stadium, Johannesburg (4.10pm)
- Fourth Test (Saturday September 12) – M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, USA (10pm)
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Highlights as New Zealand scored five tries to beat South Africa 33-16 at Ellis Park and take a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry
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