South Africa’s Springboks defeated New Zealand’s All Blacks 18-12 in a Rugby Championship game on Saturday in Cape Town, marking their fourth consecutive win against their rivals for the first time in 75 years.
Tries by Siya Kolisi and Malcolm Marx helped secure the victory in front of a crowd of 55,000 fans. The win puts South Africa at the top of the Rugby Championship standings with 18 points, while New Zealand trails with seven.
The match was intense but full of mistakes from both sides, making it less of a classic encounter. Kolisi, playing with a fractured nose, scored early in the second half, and Marx sealed the win with a late try. New Zealand’s Damian McKenzie kicked all of the All Blacks’ points but missed two crucial penalties, including one from directly in front of the posts.
The Springboks also reclaimed the Freedom Cup, a trophy contested between South Africa and New Zealand, for the first time since 2009. Despite dominating the breakdown and winning several penalties, the All Blacks struggled to control the Springboks in the final minutes. New Zealand captain Scott Barrett acknowledged missed chances, saying, “We had opportunities, but when you don’t take them, a quality side like the Springboks will punish you.”
This victory is a major step for South Africa towards winning the Rugby Championship title, while New Zealand’s early struggles under new coach Scott Robertson continue.
