New Zealand claimed a statement victory over South Africa, winning the first Test 33-16 at Ellis Park with five tries to one, as Will Jordan crossed twice to continue his remarkable scoring rate.
The All Blacks withstood sustained scrum pressure from the world champions and showed a slickness South Africa could not match, securing their first win at the venue since 2022. By the end, South Africa had two players in the sin-bin and, given their status as the world's leading side, the defeat amounted to a disintegration.
All Blacks weather the storm
It is 30 years since Sean Fitzpatrick led the All Blacks to a first series victory in South Africa, but the class of 2026 are off to a flying start. The last meeting between these sides in Wellington ended 43-10 in South Africa's favour, making this something of a revenge mission.
South Africa's handling was woeful, but their powerful runners, led by No 8 Jasper Wiese, and their ruthless scrum gave them a platform in the middle 40 minutes that would have brushed aside most teams. That New Zealand survived before taking their chances is a feather in the cap for Dave Rennie's side.
Key moments and scorers
New Zealand were the first to cross the tryline, with Jordan finishing in the right corner past scrum-half Grant Williams. Cheslin Kolbe had kicked South Africa into a 3-0 lead, and the Boks were in front again when André Esterhuizen – on after 10 minutes for the injured Kurt-Lee Arendse – powered through Josh Moorby to score.
Moorby atoned with a sharp finish, gathering a delightful offload from Tupou Vaa'i for New Zealand's second try, but another Kolbe penalty edged the Springboks back in front on 26 minutes. South Africa turned the screw thereafter but wasted three visits to the All Blacks' 22, with Malcolm Marx knocking on just short of the line, though Jordie Barrett did well to force the error.
Second-half surge
The second half began in similar vein, and Kolbe extended South Africa's lead with another penalty awarded for scrum dominance. But the Springboks' scrum-half was charged down by Fabian Holland at the restart, and the Dutch-born New Zealand lock had the simplest of scores.
South Africa responded with another scrum barrage, but their inaccuracy in the New Zealand 22 again let them down, and referee Matt Carley awarded a scrum penalty to the All Blacks on their own line. Soon after, Luke Jacobson was over from close range after a scything run from Damian McKenzie, with Ruben Love converting for a 10-point lead.
The Springboks were desperate by this stage, and the humiliation was complete when replacements Marco van Staden and Cobus Reinach were sent to the sin-bin for infringing near their own line in quick succession. Jordan's second, again out on the right, put the exclamation mark on a thoroughly deserved victory.
