South Africa inflicted New Zealand's heaviest-ever defeat on Saturday, thrashing the All Blacks 43-10 in Wellington to level the Rugby Championship series. The Springboks scored 36 unanswered points in the second half, overturning a narrow 10-7 halftime deficit to secure a historic victory at the Wellington Regional Stadium.
Cheslin Kolbe crossed for a brace of tries, while Damian Willemse, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman and Andre Esterhuizen also touched down as South Africa ran riot. The 33-point margin surpassed New Zealand's previous worst loss, a 35-7 defeat to the Springboks in a 2023 World Cup warm-up at Twickenham. It was also South Africa's biggest ever score on New Zealand soil.
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett urged his team to use the 'discomfort' of the defeat as motivation for their next match against Australia at Eden Park. 'There'll be some real discomfort this week,' Barrett told reporters. 'But I'm sure this team will use that to bounce forward. We've got the Bledisloe ahead and a chance to respond.'
The victory keeps South Africa's Rugby Championship title hopes alive after they lost 24-17 to New Zealand at Eden Park last week. The Springboks also retained the Freedom Cup, awarded to the winner of the two-match series between the sides.
