South Africa came from behind to beat New Zealand 29-24 in a fiercely contested third Test in Soweto on 5 September, 2026, moving 2-1 ahead in the four-match series with one game remaining.
A crowd of 87,976 at FNB Stadium watched the sides trade four tries apiece in a match that swung on a dominant Springbok second-half showing.
New Zealand struck first when Captain Ardie Savea finished off a driving move from Asafo Aumua. Kurt-Lee Arendse hit back for the hosts before Savea crossed again, only for a shoulder injury to end his afternoon shortly after. South Africa’s scrum then earned a penalty try to level the scores at half-time.
Will Jordan, scoring his 54th Test try, put New Zealand back in front early in the second half, but Jesse Kriel responded soon after. Malcolm Marx’s driving-maul try and a penalty from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu put the result beyond doubt, with Samisoni Taukei’aho’s late try only a consolation for the visitors.
Springboks Captain Siya Kolisi, marking his 55th victory in the role, said the team had been tested by New Zealand’s intensity. “It was a great game from the All Blacks. They pushed us to the limit, they came like a house on fire,” Kolisi said. “We’re thankful and grateful that we have the privilege, not pressure, to be able to change people’s moods and make them feel good.”
The result follows New Zealand’s 33-16 win in the series opener at Ellis Park and South Africa’s 33-26 victory in Cape Town. The teams travel to the United States for the fourth and final Test, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on 12 September, 2026.