South Africa underlined their status as rugby’s top-ranked side with a convincing 43-28 victory over New Zealand in Baltimore, completing a 3-1 triumph in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
The All Blacks showed attacking ambition and remained within striking distance at 17-14 at halftime after tries to Codie Taylor and Will Jordan, but handling mistakes, missed tackles and difficulties at the set piece repeatedly handed momentum back to the Springboks. South Africa asserted control at the scrum, lineout and breakdown, then struck twice in quick succession after the interval through Malcolm Marx and Pieter-Steph du Toit to open a decisive advantage.
Ethan Blackadder briefly revived New Zealand’s hopes, while a controversial Kurt-Lee Arendse try further strengthened the Springboks’ grip before Cameron Hanekom added another. Beauden Barrett’s final-minute try provided a late consolation, but the Springboks were deserved winners after again proving more clinical and physically dominant in the key contests.
Not to be in Baltimore. Congrats Springboks on taking the series 🫱🏽🫲🏾
Thank you to everyone for all the support throughout this tour. It’s been special 🖤 pic.twitter.com/B04KVI66Ee
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) September 12, 2026
The All Blacks lost just before an election. That means we’ll have a change of government at the election in November