Particle.news

Springboks Take 2-1 Lead After Scrum‑Powered Win Over All Blacks

The result hands South Africa control of the series, forcing New Zealand to fix scrum and maul problems before the final Test in Baltimore.

Overview

  • The Springboks beat the All Blacks 29-24 on Saturday at FNB Stadium to move 2-1 up in the four-Test Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
  • South Africa’s dominance at the scrum and rolling maul produced a penalty try before half-time and a second-half maul try by Malcolm Marx that proved decisive.
  • Cheslin Kolbe suffered a broken jaw in the Johannesburg Test and did not travel with the squad to the United States while several other players were withheld from the trip for injury or rotation.
  • Both teams boarded the same charter to Baltimore after the match and South Africa’s coach Rassie Erasmus is due to name his team on Monday evening ahead of the M&T Bank Stadium decider on 12 September.
  • The outcome in Baltimore will decide the trophy: a Springbok win will clinch the series while a New Zealand victory will level it, and the result will shape World Cup planning and selection decisions for both sides.