South Africa v New Zealand LIVE: Result and reaction Rugby Championship as Springboks mount late comeback
South Africa 31-27 New Zealand: Two late tries from the Springboks ensured they defeated the All Blacks in Johannesburg
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South Africa edged past New Zealand in a dramatic encounter in the third round of the Rugby Championship to cement their place at the top of the tournament table.
In a tight first half, tries from Codie Taylor, Caleb Clarke and Bongi Mbonambi were the highlights as both sides looked to gain an advantage after a yellow card to Aphelele Fassi.
The scores were locked at 11-12 to the visitors at half-time, and the second half started in perfect fashion for the All Blacks as Jordie Barrett intercepted a loose pass and raced home for five points.
From there it looked like the All Blacks were set to dominate, especially after Caleb Clarke crossed again, but New Zealand couldn’t capitalise when it mattered.
And soon after they paid the price, with Ofa Tu’ungafasi getting a late yellow card to spark an impressive Springboks turnaround.
Kwagga Smith crossed the line soon after to give South Africa life, and from there it was one-way traffic as Grant Williams completed the comeback in the 74th minute.
It could have been a vital win for the All Blacks as they looked to close the gap on the Springboks at the top of the tournament table, but instead South Africa end the day with a lead that looks difficult to relinquish – eight points over their nearest challengers, New Zealand.
Relive the action from Ellis Park Stadium as South Africa defeat New Zealand:
South Africa 0-0 New Zealand
2 mins
Early penalty for the All Blacks as Cheslin Kolbe is penalised for holding on, but New Zealand opt for the kick to touch.
An early break through as well as Ioane breaks the gain line, before the All Blacks spread it wide to Blackadder, who’s isolated on the wing but manages to keep the ball in play.
KICK-OFF! South Africa 0-0 New Zealand
We’re underway in Johannesburg! The All Blacks get us started.
South Africa vs New Zealand LIVE
Plenty of emotion in both national anthems, and we’re moments away from an All Blacks haka.
And that it is! Plenty of concentration in the faces of the New Zealand players – they know they need a win for a chance to retain the Rugby Championship.
A plane is flown over Ellis Park, and we’re moments from kick-off now!
South Africa vs New Zealand LIVE
We’re almost underway with the national anthems, with both sides lined up on the pitch.
Is South Africa vs New Zealand on TV today? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Rugby Championship fixture
A reminder of how to watch today, with coverage starting in a few minutes.
When is it?
South Africa vs New Zealand kicks off at 4pm BST on Saturday, 31 August, and takes place at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Action, with coverage starting at 3.50pm BST. Subscribers can also stream the match via Sky Go, or purchase a pass for NOW TV. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
Is South Africa vs New Zealand on TV today? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch
The Springboks look to take control at the top of the Rugby Championship with a win over their closest rivals, the All Blacks
Rugby Championship results so far
The full results from the tournament so far are below:
Saturday, 10 August
Saturday, 17 August
New Zealand 42-10 Argentina
Head-to-head
This will be the 107rd match between these two giants of world rugby, with the first match taking place in 1921.
The All Blacks have won 62 matches, with South Africa winning 40, including the most recent – the 2023 World Cup final.
A reminder of the Rugby Championships standings ahead of a vital match.
1 – South Africa – P2, W2, 10pts
2 – New Zealand – P2, W1, L1, 5pts
3 – Argentina – P2, W1, L1, 4pts
4 – Australia – P2, L2, 0pts
All Blacks expecting ‘feral’ reception for clash with Springboks at Ellis Park
New Zealand rugby are expecting a hostile reception on and off the pitch at Ellis Park on Saturday when they meet South Africa rugby in the first clash between the southern hemisphere heavyweights since the Rugby World Cup final in France.
Sam Cane, the former captain and experienced flanker, will be briefing the squad’s rookie players on what to be ready for when they arrive at the Springboks’ spiritual home, forwards coach Jason Ryan told New Zealand media.
All Blacks expecting ‘feral’ reception for clash with Springboks at Ellis Park
South Africa host New Zealand in Johannesburg in the first of back-to-back Rugby Championship meetings
Line-ups
A reminder of how the two teams line up today.
South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Frans Malherbe; 4 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 5 Ruan Nortje; 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Ben-Jason Dixon , 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Cobus Reinach, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu; 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Cheslin Kolbe; 15 Aphelele Fassi.
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Kwagga Smith; 22 Grant Williams, 23 Handre Pollard.
New Zealand XV: 1 Tamaiti Williams, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax; 4 Scott Barrett, 5 Tupou Vaa’i; 6 Ethan Blackadder, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Ardie Savea; 9 TJ Perenara, 10 Damian McKenzie; 11 Caleb Clarke, 12 Jordie Barrett, 13 Rieko Ioane, 14 Will Jordan; 15 Beauden Barrett.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Mark Tele’a.
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