The visitors to South Africa scored five tries to the one by the hosts.
Andre Esterhuizen of the Springboks crashes over for a try against the All Blacks. Picture: Floris van Schouwenburg/Gallo Images
The All Blacks shocked the Springboks 33-16 in the first Test of four in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The Boks led 13-12 at half-time, but could only managed three points from a penalty in the second half.
The visitors scored five tries to the one by the Boks.
Will Jordan got two for the visitors to South Africa, while Josh Moorby, Fabian Holland and Luke Jacobson also scored.
Andre Esterhuizen scored the Boks’ only try after coming on early for a concussed Kurt-Lee Arendse.
The Boks made numerous errors over the course of the match and failed to make the most of a number of 22m entries, especially in the first half. They enjoyed more territory and possession than the All Blacks, but it was the New Zealanders who took their chances and scored the tries.
The Boks edged the set-pieces, and won the aerial battle, but coach Rassie Erasmus will be concerned with the lack of rhythm in the Boks’ game and their general error-rate and lack of composure.
The victory by the All Blacks ensured they remain unbeaten in 2026, while the Boks’ 12-match unbeaten run has now come to an end.
There will be concern in the Bok camp about the fitness of Arendse as well as Cheslin Kolbe, who left the field during the game.
The second Test is next Saturday in Cape Town.
TEAMS
SPRINGBOKS – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (c), 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nché. Bench: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 André Esterhuizen, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok.
ALL BLACKS – 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (c), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot. Bench: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Simon Parker, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Leroy Carter.
Here is The Citizen’s coverage of the Test at Ellis Park.
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