Boks take ‘moral victory’ in series after overpowering All Blacks in Soweto
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The South African Springboks defeated the All Blacks 29-24 in the third Test match, taking a 2-1 lead in their series. The victory, achieved through physical dominance and tactical execution, is considered a moral win for the World Champions.
Why it matters
This match is a high-profile event in international rugby, reinforcing the Springboks' status as a dominant force in the sport.
The Springboks took a 2-1 lead in the Greatest Rivalry series with a 29-24 (halftime 12-12) third Test win over the All Blacks at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
5 Sep 2026 Bok centre Jesse Kriel scores against the All Blacks in the third Test at FNB Stadium on 5 September 2026. (Photo: Floris van Schouwenburg/Gallo Images) Dive Deeper Speed Read Summary Listen Dive Deeper The Springboks underlined their World Champion credentials by overpowering the All Blacks with both physicality and speed at a seething FNB Stadium to win the match that really mattered in the series.
There is still one game to go and the Boks lead the series 2-1. But make no mistake, this was the match that mattered.
Also covering this story
6 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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Dave Rennie's 12-word verdict on the Springbok scrum in Soweto
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Rugby: Springboks outmuscle All Blacks to win third test, take 2-1 series lead
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