Springboks restore order in Cape Town thriller

Rugby order was restored in South Africa as the Springboks responded to their Ellis Park defeat with a dramatic 33-26 win against the All Blacks in Cape Town.

The victory levelled the four-Test series at one-all, with one match remaining in South Africa before the rivalry moves to Baltimore in the United States. For the Boks, this was their most important Test since beating the All Blacks in the 2023 World Cup final in Paris.

The pressure was immense after the All Blacks dismantled South Africa in the final quarter at Ellis Park. Siya Kolisi’s team responded within two minutes, scoring seven points and establishing the momentum that carried them through the contest.

The Boks led 24-14 at halftime, stretched their advantage to 30-14 and entered the final quarter 33-19 ahead. But the All Blacks refused to go away. They scored four tries to South Africa’s three and spent the final two minutes attacking for the converted try that would have levelled the scores.

All Blacks captain Ardie Savea acknowledged the significance of South Africa’s opening assault.

“You can’t give the Springboks that kind of start and a big lead,” said Savea.

Cheslin Kolbe was the standout performer. Initially excluded from the match 23 because of injury concerns, Kolbe was a late addition to the starting team and responded with a Player of the Match performance. He converted all seven of his kicks, defended fearlessly and was a constant attacking threat.

Rassie Erasmus also made the extraordinary decision to replace his entire front row before kick-off. The gamble paid off, with the remarkable Deon Fourie starting at hooker three weeks short of his 40th birthday and lasting 35 minutes. Malcolm Marx then made a telling contribution from the bench, winning two crucial breakdown penalties.

The biggest change from Ellis Park was South Africa’s efficiency inside the All Blacks’ 22. The Boks were more disciplined, more decisive and far more accurate when their opportunities arrived.

Kolisi led with conviction, Ethan Hooker dominated in the air, Eben Etzebeth produced a performance of sustained intensity and Pieter-Steph du Toit marked his 100th Test with another immense contribution.

The Boks restored parity in the series, but the quality and attacking ambition of Dave Rennie’s improving All Blacks confirmed that this rivalry is only getting started.

Read Mark Keohane’s full Sunday Times match report for his complete analysis of the Cape Town Test.