Overview
- South Africa handed New Zealand their heaviest Test defeat, scoring six tries and 36 unanswered second‑half points, with Cheslin Kolbe crossing twice and Manie Libbok adding 13 points.
- South Africa leapfrogged New Zealand in the standings, setting up a finely balanced run‑in before New Zealand face Australia at Eden Park and the Springboks host Argentina in Durban on September 27.
- Rassie Erasmus urged restraint after the win, calling it part of a longer build, while All Blacks captain Scott Barrett and coach Scott Robertson acknowledged poor adjustments and preparation.
- Argentina edged Australia 28-26 in Sydney as Santiago Carreras kicked 23 points, leaving all four Rugby Championship teams at 2-2 after four rounds.
- In Exeter, the Black Ferns beat South Africa 46-17 to reach the Women’s World Cup semi-finals, with teenager Braxton Sorensen‑McGee scoring twice as the Springbok Women impressed with inventive set‑piece tactics, including a mass line‑out.