Springboks Beat All Blacks 33-26 in Cape Town to Level Series
South Africa have levelled their four-Test series against New Zealand at 1-1 after a 33-26 win at Cape Town Stadium, responding to the defeat at Ellis Park a week earlier.
The Springboks were outscored four tries to three but were more accurate when it mattered, with Cheslin Kolbe converting all seven of his kicks at goal.
A Fast Start and a Half-Time Lead
South Africa scored inside two minutes. A powerful maul carried them into the New Zealand 22 before Jesse Kriel ran a sharp line off Cobus Reinach to finish.
New Zealand responded in the 15th minute when Will Jordan broke through and Cam Roigard finished, with Ruben Love converting. Kolbe restored the lead with a penalty before Damian de Allende picked up from the base of a ruck to score South Africa's second in the 21st minute.
Damian McKenzie completed a slick New Zealand attack in the 29th minute to cut the deficit to three, but the Springboks went in 24-14 ahead at the break after Siya Kolisi added a third try. The captain, who had played only 24 minutes of Test rugby this year before this match, was returning from injury.
Holding On
Kolbe kicked two penalties in quick succession after the interval to push the lead to 30-14, both following breakdown penalties won by replacement hooker Malcolm Marx. He added another in the 71st minute for 33-19.
Damian Willemse was forced off injured early in the second half and replaced by Manie Libbok. Kolisi was withdrawn shortly afterwards.
New Zealand kept coming. Leroy Carter scored in the 68th minute before captain Ardie Savea crashed over from the base of a ruck in the 77th, Love's conversion cutting the margin to seven.
Lood de Jager was then shown a yellow card in the 79th minute for head-on-head contact with Carter, leaving South Africa with 14 men and giving New Zealand a final opportunity. The All Blacks kicked back towards halfway and attacked into the closing seconds, but the Springboks held on.
The Numbers Behind the Result
The statistics showed two contrasting approaches. New Zealand made 246 passes to South Africa's 93, forcing the hosts into 188 tackles compared with 122 by the visitors. South Africa missed 39 tackles to New Zealand's 26.
The Springboks won six turnovers to two and were flawless on their own lineout throw at 100 percent, with New Zealand at 83 percent. The scrum was closer, with the All Blacks securing all of their own ball against 75 percent for South Africa.
The set piece had been a talking point before kick-off after New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie accused the Springboks of scrummaging illegally and failing to drive straight. Referee Angus Gardner stopped play to address both front rows during the second half.
Kolbe was named player of the match. He had initially been left out of the matchday 23 because of an injury picked up at Ellis Park before being added to the starting side late.
The series moves to FNB Stadium in Johannesburg next Saturday for the third Test, with the fourth and final match to be played at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on 12 September.
