In a captivating Castle Lager Rugby Championship encounter at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday, South Africa’s Springboks staged a stunning comeback to edge past New Zealand’s All Blacks, clinching a 31-27 victory in front of over 60,000 passionate fans.
Trailing for much of the match, the Springboks displayed their trademark resilience to overturn a 10-point deficit in the final 15 minutes, keeping their unbeaten record in the championship intact.
The match, which will be remembered as one of the great contests between these rugby giants, saw New Zealand start strongly. The All Blacks controlled the early phases with an assertive and free-flowing attacking style, quickly putting the Springboks on the back foot.
South Africa struggled to gain possession and territory in the opening stages, with their defense constantly tested by New Zealand’s dynamic backline.
New Zealand capitalized on an early opportunity when Aphelele Fassi was shown a yellow card for a professional foul near the try line.
The All Blacks opted for a lineout maul, and hooker Codie Taylor was driven over for the first try of the game, converted by Damian McKenzie, giving New Zealand a 7-0 lead within the first seven minutes.
Despite the early setback, the Springboks slowly found their rhythm. Strong defensive work and tactical adjustments allowed them to claw back some control, and they began to pressure New Zealand’s defense.
A rolling maul led to a try for Bongi Mbonambi, though Feinberg-Mngomezulu missed the conversion, leaving the score at 7-5.
The match swung back and forth with both teams exchanging penalties and tries. A highlight was a monstrous 60-meter penalty from Feinberg-Mngomezulu that briefly gave the Springboks the lead, only for New Zealand to respond immediately with a try from Caleb Clarke.
The All Blacks went into halftime with a narrow 12-11 lead, reflecting the tightly contested nature of the game.
The second half began with a bang as Jordie Barrett intercepted a pass from Damian de Allende and sprinted 40 meters to score. With McKenzie’s conversion, New Zealand stretched their lead to 19-11, signaling a potential turning point in the match.
However, the introduction of South Africa’s ‘Bomb Squad’—their impactful bench players—began to shift the momentum. Five replacements came on simultaneously, and their physical presence and fresh legs injected new energy into the Springbok side.
Penalties became the story of the next phase, with Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s accurate kicking keeping South Africa in touch. Yet, a moment of brilliance from New Zealand saw Clarke score his second try, seemingly putting the game out of reach with a 27-17 lead.
The final quarter belonged to the Springboks, who displayed incredible determination and never-say-die spirit. A yellow card to New Zealand’s replacement prop Ofa Tu’ungafasia for collapsing a maul provided the opening South Africa needed.
From the ensuing lineout, replacement forward Kwagga Smith powered over the try line, reducing the deficit to just three points with a successful conversion.
With only minutes remaining, the Springboks’ relentless pressure paid off once again. A series of forceful drives near the All Blacks’ try line saw Grant Williams exploit a tiny gap in the defense to dive over for the winning try.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s successful conversion put South Africa ahead 31-27, sending the crowd into rapturous celebration.
New Zealand had a final chance to respond, but a crucial ruck penalty allowed South Africa to regain possession and control the remaining moments of the match. As the clock wound down, Williams booted the ball into touch, sealing a famous victory for the Springboks.
This thrilling comeback exemplified the heart and resilience of the Springboks, showcasing their ability to remain composed under pressure and capitalize on their opponents’ mistakes.
For New Zealand, it was a game of missed opportunities and a reminder of the relentless competition at the highest level of international rugby.
As the dust settles on this epic encounter, the rugby world will undoubtedly continue to talk about this match for years to come.
The Springboks’ victory not only keeps their Rugby Championship hopes alive but also reinforces their status as one of the most formidable teams in the sport.
Source: SA Rugby
