New Zealand vs South Africa live: All Blacks survive Springboks battle to win crucial Rugby Championship clash
New Zealand 24-17 South Africa: The All Blacks held firm to extend their unbeaten run at Eden Park to 51 matches
New Zealand produced a defensive masterclass to beat South Africa 24-17 and defend their Eden Park stronghold.
The All Blacks extended their unbeaten run at the Auckland fortress to 51 matches as the Springboks failed to conquer the hallowed ground after producing an uncharacteristically sloppy performance. Rassie Erasmus’ world champions had travelled to New Zealand with hope that they could seize control of the Rugby Championship with a first victory at Eden Park since 1937, but despite a late fightback that saw them threaten to snatch a draw, the home side held firm – with Ardie Savea fittingly securing a crucial turnover on the occasion of his 100th cap.
After a shock defeat to Argentina last time out, this was a vastly improved showing from Scott Robertson’s hosts as they showcased their defensive strength with a number of outstanding defensive stands. With Beauden Barrett controlling affairs well, tries from Emoni Narawa, Will Jordan and Quinn Tupaea pushed the All Blacks out of reach despite that late rally from the Springboks – who will hope to get revenge in Wellington in the second of back-to-back meetings next week.
Follow all of the latest from the Rugby Championship with our live blog below:
Ardie Savea reflects on a special day
What a day for Ardie Savea. He won his 100th All Blacks cap, beat bitter rivals South Africa and got a crucial turnover that stopped the Boks metres from the line with a couple of minutes left.
Here’s his thoughts on everything.
All Blacks survive brutal Springboks battle to seize control of Rugby Championship
New Zealand held firm at their Eden Park fortress to claim an attritional 24-17 win over South Africa in a heavyweight clash between the world's top two rugby sides.
Under pressure after conceding a first-ever defeat on Argentine soil against the Pumas two weeks ago, the All Blacks responded with a performance of grit and discipline to stretch their unbeaten run at their Auckland stronghold to 51 matches.
Two well-taken tries by Emoni Narawa and Will Jordan set up a 14-3 lead at halftime before Quinn Tupaea grabbed a third five-pointer for the hosts 13 minutes from time.
Here’s the full report from today’s clash:
All Blacks survive brutal Springboks battle to seize control of Rugby Championship
Rugby Championship 2025 Schedule
Here’s the full schedule for this year’s Championship
16 August
South Africa 22-38 Australia
Argentina 24-41 New Zealand
23 August
South Africa 30-22 Australia
Argentina 29-23 New Zealand
6 September
Australia 28-24 Argentina
New Zealand 24-17 South Africa
13 September
Australia vs Argentina - Sydney, 5am BST
New Zealand vs South Africa - Wellington, 8.05am BST
27 September
New Zealand vs Australia - Auckland, 6.05am BST
South Africa vs Argentina - Durban, 4.10pm BST
4 October
Australia vs New Zealand - Perth, 10.45am BST
Argentina vs South Africa - Twickenham, 2pm BST
New Zealand v South Africa stats
Here are some key stats from today’s clash - ultimately not much in it
Territory: New Zealand 40%-60% South Africa
Possession: NZ 48%-52% SA
Tackles: NZ 145-110 SA
Tackles missed: NZ 24-25 SA
Carries: NZ 95-95 SA
Penalties conceded: NZ 10-10 SA
Line breaks: NZ 3-1 SA
Turnovers conceded: NZ 13-12 SA
Australia snatch dramatic victory at death in Rugby Championship thriller
Here’s how things went down in the match between Australia and Argentina earlier today.
Angus Bell scored the winning try six minutes after the final hooter as the Wallabies overturned a 14-point half-time deficit to beat Argentina 28-24 in a Rugby Championship thriller in Townsville.
The Pumas led 21-7 at the break before the Wallabies levelled the score with a brace of tries from centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, but Pumas full-back Juan Cruz Mallia edged the visitors ahead with a penalty a minute from time. However, that wasn’t enough...
Australia snatch dramatic victory at death in Rugby Championship thriller
All Blacks survive brutal Springboks battle to seize control of Rugby Championship
New Zealand held firm at their Eden Park fortress to claim an attritional 24-17 win over South Africa in a heavyweight clash between the world's top two rugby sides.
Under pressure after conceding a first-ever defeat on Argentine soil against the Pumas two weeks ago, the All Blacks responded with a performance of grit and discipline to stretch their unbeaten run at their Auckland stronghold to 51 matches.
Two well-taken tries by Emoni Narawa and Will Jordan set up a 14-3 lead at halftime before Quinn Tupaea grabbed a third five-pointer for the hosts 13 minutes from time.
All Blacks survive brutal Springboks battle to seize control of Rugby Championship
Rugby Championship upcoming fixtures
So what’s next in the Rugby Championship?
Round four kicks off in Sydney next weekend where Australia will be gunning for back-to-back victories over Argentina from 5am BST.
And then we’ll have a rematch of this All Blacks-Springboks cracker in Wellington from 8.05am.
More of the same in terms of drama would be ideal.
Rugby Championship table
That victory sends New Zealand back to the top of the Rugby Championship, leapfrogging Australia, who beat Argentina earlier.
The losing bonus point for the Springboks at least sees them climb off the bottom, as they move above Argentina by the narrowest of margins.
Springboks captain Jesse Kriel reacts to defeat
Springboks captain Jesse Kriel tells Sky Sport NZ that his side "weren't up to scratch tonight".
"We made way too many handling errors and just things that weren't up to standard for us. But I mean all credit to New Zealand, I thought they were really good."
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