New Zealand beats South Africa 33-16 at Ellis Park to take a 1-0 series lead
The New Zealand All Blacks defeated South Africa 33-16 in a rugby test match at Ellis Park. Despite trailing in the first half, New Zealand staged a second-half comeback to secure a 1-0 lead in the four-test series.
Why it matters
This victory marks a significant result in international rugby, ending South Africa's 12-test winning streak and shifting momentum in a historic series.
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JOHANNESBURG (AP) — New Zealand stunned South Africa 33-16 with an epic second-half fightback at Ellis Park on Saturday and drew first blood in their historic four-test series .
After surviving a ferocious first half to trail only 13-12, the All Blacks’ resolve hardened by new coach Dave Rennie and age-old ability to produce something from nothing turned a tense contest into a rout by five tries to South Africa’s one.
An All Blacks scrum that was blown away in the first half eventually held firm in the second half and was the platform for their two last converted tries in the last quarter that gave them their biggest win in South Africa’s cathedral of rugby.
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