New Zealand blew the back-to-back world champions off the park in the opening 17 minutes, racing into a 14-0 lead that ultimately proved decisive. Although the Springboks rallied strongly thereafter – particularly through their dominant scrum and impact off the bench, their sluggish start left them chasing the game for the remainder of the contest.

Will Jordan. Photo: SA Rugby

A mistake in midfield inside the first minute gifted the All Blacks an attacking lineout. From there, flyhalf Beauden Barrett launched a pinpoint cross-kick to Emoni Narawa, who slipped Willie le Roux’s tackle and dotted down in just the second minute. 

Jordie Barrett converted. Moments later, another well-executed lineout move saw Wallace Sititi put Will Jordan into space. The wing brushed through Malcolm Marx’s tackle to score, with Damian McKenzie, on for the injured Narawa, adding the extras for a 14-0 cushion.

Handré Pollard kept South Africa in touch with a booming long-range penalty, but lineout woes and handling errors repeatedly stalled their momentum. 

Their only consistent weapon was a powerful scrum, which forced penalties but produced no points before the break.

The Boks nearly changed the script straight after halftime when Ox Nché was held up over the line. Instead, the All Blacks struck next through a McKenzie penalty after Pieter-Steph du Toit was penalised at the breakdown.

South Africa’s best spell came in the third quarter. A dominant scrum deep in All Black territory set the platform, with Kwagga Smith going close before Marx powered over. 

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted to cut the gap to 17-10. But the comeback faltered when Smith was shown a yellow card for cynical play as New Zealand pressed on the Bok tryline.

Lood de Jager. Photo: SA Rugby

The hosts immediately capitalised, Quinn Tupaea slicing through a stretched defence for a converted try that restored their 14-point lead.

Cobus Reinach sparked late hope with a sniping try seven minutes from time, but despite field position to launch one final assault, the Boks conceded crucial turnovers at the ruck as the All Blacks closed out yet another victory at their Eden Park fortress.

Scorers:

New Zealand: Tries – Emoni Narawa, Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea Conv. – Jordie Barrett, Damian McKenzie 2 Penalty – McKenzie

South Africa: Tries – Malcolm Marx, Cobus Reinach Conv. – Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 2 Pen. – Handré Pollard

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg