Overview
- South Africa beat New Zealand 29-24 at FNB Stadium on Saturday after Malcolm Marx scored from a rolling maul and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu kicked a 71st-minute penalty that proved decisive.
- The win gives the Springboks a 2-1 advantage in the four-Test Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series and forces a winner‑take‑all decider in Baltimore on September 12.
- Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus called the match ‘epic’ and warned the series is not over while confirming winger Cheslin Kolbe has a broken jaw and will not travel to the United States.
- The tour has been shaped by set-piece battles and contested refereeing decisions, with New Zealand lodging concerns about scrum and breakdown interpretation with World Rugby and both sides adjusting tactics under the tight schedule.
- The result brought personal milestones and pressure: Siya Kolisi moved past John Smit for most wins as Springbok captain, Deon Fourie extended his record as the oldest Springbok Test player, and both teams flew together to the US to prepare for the decisive fourth Test.