SOUTH AFRICA V NEW ZEALAND LIVE: RESULT AND REACTION RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP AS SPRINGBOKS MOUNT LATE COMEBACK

South Africa vs New Zealand LIVE

• South Africa defeat New Zealand in The Rugby Championship
• Springboks come from behind to triumph 31-27 in Johannesburg
• 74’ TRY! Williams crosses after the maul to complete the comeback! [RSA 31-27 NZL]
• 69’ TRY! Smith goes over after the maul with Tu’ungafasi sin binned [RSA 24-27 NZL]
• 52’ TRY! Clarke crosses again after All Blacks make use of overlap [RSA 17-27 NZL]
• 42’ TRY! Barrett intercepts a pass from Kriel and crosses over under no challenge [RSA 11-19 NZL]
• 33’ TRY! All Blacks capitalise on a mistake and Clarke makes use of the overlap to cross [RSA 8-12 NZL]
• 17’ TRY! Mbonambi picks from the maul and beats three tackles to score [RSA 5-7 NZL]
• 7’ TRY! Taylor crosses over after an All Blacks formed maul [RSA 0-7 NZL]

South Africa spring late shock on New Zealand to claim memorable victory in Johannesburg

South Africa scored two late tries to come back from a 10-point deficit and edge New Zealand 31-27 in a bruising Rugby Championship clash at Ellis Park on Saturday that came close to matching the intensity of last year’s World Cup final.

The All Blacks outscored their hosts by four tries to three but the boot of new Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu proved the difference as he contributed 16 points in the first meeting between the teams since October’s Paris clash which South Africa won 12-11.

Bongi Mbonambi, Kwagga Smith and Grant Williams scored the home tries while Feinberg-Mngomezulu was successful with four penalties and two conversions.

South Africa spring late shock on New Zealand to claim memorable victory

The winning try...

Here’s that moment from Grant Williams that won the match in the end.

FULL-TIME! South Africa 31-27 New Zealand

All Blacks captain Scott Barrett is next to speak to the media.

“Well done to the Springboks - it showed the class team they are,” he says.

“We weren’t quite good enough. We were good for 62 minutes,and it’s an 80-minute game.

“There were two key moments after kick-offs where we couldn’t quite get out of our half and they punished us. It was a huge effort, [we’re] certainly proud - but just not quite tonight.

“We’ll regroup pretty quickly. Some guys have played here for the first time. It’s intense and we’ll have to be better next week.”

FULL-TIME! South Africa 31-27 New Zealand

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi is first in front of the cameras. He starts by thanking the crowd.

“On behalf of the team, we just want to say: thank you for the support, not just tonight but you’ve carried us through so many battles.

“We play for a lot but you people are our number one motivation. We appreciate you every single day. Please don’t stop. When times are tough, please keep supporting us. We cannot do it without you.

“We respect the All Blacks. No matter what people say about them, when they need to turn up, they turn up. We believe in ourselves, we didn’t panic, and we did what we wanted.

“They were catching us on the exit. After the first try in the second half, we picked it up. I’m really proud of the boys but the job is not done.

He finishes by saying: “It’s 30 years of freedom and I want to say congratulations to South Africa. But we know there are many people who are still not free. Hopefully the next celebrations celebrate women who are free from gender-based violence”.

FULL-TIME! South Africa 31-27 New Zealand

Well, what an exhilarating match we’ve just seen. We’ll bring you the reaction as we get it.

In terms of what that means for the Championship table, the standings are below.

1 – South Africa – P3, W3, 14pts

2 – New Zealand –P3, W1, L2, 6pts

3 – Argentina –P2, W1, L1, 4pts

4 – Australia – P2, L2, 0pts

FULL-TIME! South Africa 31-27 New Zealand

The ball is kicked out and South Africa take the win! 31-27 to the home side!

What a game! The Springboks looked out of it but the yellow card was vital, as was the All Blacks’ inability to convert when it mattered most just before that sin bin.

South Africa 31-27 New Zealand

79 mins

South Africa kick deep but the All Blacks know they have to carry. A knock-on is called against the Springboks, but Feinberg-Mngomezulu manages to regain possession from the cross-kick!

All South Africa have to do now is wind down the clock!

South Africa 31-27 New Zealand

77 mins

Etzebeth takes it from Darry in the tackle and the Springboks have a penalty from the restart, but Feinberg-Mngomezulu inexplicably drags it wide just 20 seconds before Tu’ungafasi returns...

South Africa 31-27 New Zealand

74 mins

TRY!

South Africa lead!

They have the penalty and a superb kick from Feinberg-Mngomezulu sets up the lineout opportunity on the 5m line. The Springboks win it and set up a maul, with the forwards picking and going as they did last time before Grant Williams wriggles away to cross the line!

The fly-half sends the conversion over for another two.

South Africa 24-27 New Zealand

72 mins

Both sides exchange kicks and it ends with Jordie Barrett collecting, beating a challenge and offloading. It starts again straight away though, with Beauden Barrett kicking away for the lineout near the New Zealand 10-metre line.

South Africa 24-27 New Zealand

69 mins

TRY!

For the All Blacks, Ratima has come on for Perenara. They’re under pressure here, and it’s a sin bin for Ofa Tu’ungafasi! He collapsed the maul.

South Africa collect their lineout and Marx picks from the maul. The forwards pick and go for a couple of phases, before Kwagga Smith crashes over under the posts!

Feinberg-Mngomezulu converts, and there’s three points in it!

South Africa 17-27 New Zealand

67 mins

Close! A great chance for South Africa, and it almost ended with five points.

The Springboks win possession in the ruck and they go through the hands in their own half, aware that they have the overlap. Fassi has Kolbe to one side but knows the pair of them are under pressure, so he kicks a grubber towards the line that narrowly avoids the grip of Kolbe.

It ends the All Blacks clearing, but the kick is charged down and then New Zealand are penalised for entering from the side, around 10 metres from their own line!

South Africa kick for touch.

South Africa 17-27 New Zealand

62 mins

The All Blacks collect the lineout and run it through the hands, and it ends with a South Africa lineout as Barrett kicks into the South Africa ‘22.

The home side win the lineout, but they concede a penalty for holding on.

Perenara is happy to go with the forwards but they lose it in the tackle, before Feinberg-Mngomezulu clears.

South Africa 17-27 New Zealand

60 mins

Consecutive soft wins for New Zealand, first from the lineout and then for a penalty at the ruck, which is followed by a good clearing kick from Barrett.

Siya Kolisi has to leave the field for an HIA too.

South Africa 17-27 New Zealand

55 mins

The All Blacks make a change as Tamaiti Williams comes off for Ofa Tu’ungafasi.

We have a South Africa scrum near the All Blacks’ ‘22 after a knock-on from Jordan. It goes through the forwards before Williams ships it through, though he was a little hasty at the ruck and it’s knocked on.

Below is the latest try from Clarke!

South Africa 17-27 New Zealand

51 mins

TRY!

A little disjointed there as the Springboks go through the hands, with Jesse Kriel collecting on the wing before his poor offload causes a knock-on. From the kick, Fassi calls the mark, and it’s a lineout to New Zealand after his rash kick.

And it’s a brilliant routine from New Zealand, with Barrett switching with Perenara and Ioane selling the dummy. They have the overlap and it goes through the hands to Clarke once more, and he skips over the desperate challenge from Kriel before going over under the challenge from Kolbe.

McKenzie puts the conversion wide.

South Africa 14-22 New Zealand

49 mins

Another South Africa penalty and they opt to kick, and Feinberg-Mngomezulu easily finds the target for three points.

South Africa 14-22 New Zealand

48 mins

It looks like Arendse has been hit in the head or neck, and he’s being taken off. He looked in a bad way there, after going in low. He stayed down, and looked like he could be concussed. He comes off for Handre Pollard, with Kriel going to the wing.

South Africa also just made several changes to the pack, with Steenekamp, Marx and Koch all coming on.

South Africa 14-22 New Zealand

46 mins

South Africa look to bounce back and they have the lineout on the five-metre line. Marx shifts it to Williams, and before long the ‘Boks have a penalty advantage for someone not rolling away.

Another penalty is blown, and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu should get this over easily – he does.

But straight away, Steenkamp goes off his feet from the restart and McKenzie has a chance to cancel out the three South African points, and he does just that.

South Africa 11-19 New Zealand

41 mins

TRY! Out of nothing for the All Blacks.

The Springboks are trying to put it through the hands but Jordie Barrett steps into the space and grabs the interception. He still has a bit to do under pressure from three South African backs, but he angles the sprint to stay out of reach and cross almost right under the posts.

The conversion is easy and we move to 11-19.

South Africa 11-12 New Zealand

40 mins

We’re back underway, with the second half starting in Johannesburg!

The kick-off is caught and the All Blacks clear.

HALF-TIME! South Africa 11-12 New Zealand

A great game so far, and it is finely poised, at the reverse of the final score of the 2023 World Cup final.

Fassi’s early yellow affected the opening stages but South Africa recovered well to score their own try, and they were then unlucky to fumble and end up victim to a lightning-quick All Blacks counter.

Nevertheless, the All Blacks were unlucky themselves, as the South Africa try should never have stood!

This has been even so far, and you’d expect it to continue as such.

Below is the try from Clarke.

HALF-TIME! South Africa 11-12 New Zealand

Fassi’s kick is chased by Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Barrett is forced to kick out of play just two seconds before the 40 minutes was up!

The Springboks win the lineout, with Reinach happy to play through the forwards, but it ends with a knock on and it’s half-time at 11-12 to the visitors!

South Africa 11-12 New Zealand

39 mins

A clever carry and offload from Feinberg-Mngomezulu almost creates the opportunity out of nothing, but it ends with an All Blacks throw and a kick that lands in the hands of Fassi.

The Springboks break the gain line before sending it back to the 10 for the drop-goal – but it’s wide.

South Africa 11-12 New Zealand

35 mins

South Africa think they have a certain try, but the pass was forward and they have to settle for the kick opportunity near the New Zealand 22.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu converts it easily for 11-12.

South Africa 8-12 New Zealand

32 mins

TRY!

Barrett’s up-and-under is collected by Fassi, but an unforced error gives the All Blacks the ball!

Wiese fumbles the ball and suddenly the All Blacks are on the attack, with great dummies from Damian McKenzie setting it up to go through the hands, before Will Jordan makes use of the overlap to send Caleb Clarke over the line for five.

The conversion is missed, but the All Blacks lead once more.

South Africa 8-7 New Zealand

28 mins

Barrett goes for the effort into touch again and it’s a brilliant effort, matched only by Kolbe’s acrobatic attempt to keep it in. It doesn’t pay off though, and South Africa win the lineout, with Reinach clearing.

South Africa win another penalty, almost on their own 10-metre line, after the All Blacks are penalised for not releasing.

This would be a huge kick – and he’s sunk it! An excellent effort, plum on target and with the legs to take it well over the distance.

South Africa 5-7 New Zealand

24 mins

Barrett overcooks the attempted 50:22, and it’s straight into touch. New Zealand hold firm in defence though, with the Springboks knocking it on after Feinberg-Mngomezulu put too much on the pass.

Eben Etzebeth comes on for Nortje.

South Africa 5-7 New Zealand

22 mins

It does look like New Zealand have a case to be annoyed with that try being awarded. Not sure why it wasn’t checked.

Fassi has returned from his sin-bin stint, but the All Blacks are on the attack again before the ball is dragged out of play.

TRY! South Africa 5-7 New Zealand

17 mins

TRY! It begins similarly to the New Zealand try, with a maul forming from the lineout. The maul falters towards the touchline, but Bongi Mbonambi picks out from the back and powers towards the line.

He’s got plenty to do with three black shirts challenging him, but he shrugs off the tackles to ground the ball for five points!

In truth, it looked like he may have lost control of the ball before going over, but the try is given – in the confusion, Feinberg-Mngomezulu doesn’t take his conversion kick in time.

South Africa 0-7 New Zealand

14 mins

New Zealand collapse the scrum and the Springboks take advatbage, with Feinberg-Mngomezulu kicking into the corner and then collecting from the lineout. Strong carrying from the fly-half takes the ‘Boks into the All Blacks’ five-metre line, before Savea is penalised for not releasing.

South Africa 0-7 New Zealand

12 mins

From kick-off, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu looks to have kicked it straight out, so it’s a scrum on halfway. From the scrum, Perenara kicks a lovely 50:22.

The All Blacks had an advantage as they powered towards the South Africa five-metre line, but they lose it after Lomax comes in at the side.

South Africa take advantage of that slip up with some brilliant play. First, Cheslin Kolbe is sent through on the blind side, before Feinberg-Mngomezulu stabs through a brilliant kick that is kicked on by Arendse, but the winger can’t get to it on the second attempt and the All Blacks survive a scare.

TRY! South Africa 0-7 New Zealand

7 mins

TRY! Simple enough for the All Blacks, as they win the lineout and form the maul, which is quickly carried over the line for a try for Taylor.

The conversion sails between the posts for the full number of points.

South Africa 0-0 New Zealand

5 mins

Great defence from the Springboks, as they finally get Savea off the pitch on the wing after several phases of solid tackling and rucking.

They win the lineout in their own five-metre line, but they’re penalised for offside and the All Blacks will have a scrum.

Perenara is happy to use the forwards for a few phases, before shipping it to Beauden Barrett. The next phase goes through the hands, ending with Blackadder not making use of the overload. No matter though, as New Zealand have the penalty as Fassi is shown a yellow card for obstructing the pass, having tackled from the side.

South Africa 0-0 New Zealand

2 mins

Early penalty for the All Blacks as Cheslin Kolbe is penalised for holding on, but New Zealand opt for the kick to touch.

An early break through as well as Ioane breaks the gain line, before the All Blacks spread it wide to Blackadder, who’s isolated on the wing but manages to keep the ball in play.

KICK-OFF! South Africa 0-0 New Zealand

We’re underway in Johannesburg! The All Blacks get us started.

South Africa vs New Zealand LIVE

Plenty of emotion in both national anthems, and we’re moments away from an All Blacks haka.

And that it is! Plenty of concentration in the faces of the New Zealand players – they know they need a win for a chance to retain the Rugby Championship.

A plane is flown over Ellis Park, and we’re moments from kick-off now!

South Africa vs New Zealand LIVE

We’re almost underway with the national anthems, with both sides lined up on the pitch.

Is South Africa vs New Zealand on TV today? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Rugby Championship fixture

A reminder of how to watch today, with coverage starting in a few minutes.

When is it?

South Africa vs New Zealand kicks off at 4pm BST on Saturday, 31 August, and takes place at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Action, with coverage starting at 3.50pm BST. Subscribers can also stream the match via Sky Go, or purchase a pass for NOW TV. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.

Is South Africa vs New Zealand on TV today? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch

Rugby Championship results so far

The full results from the tournament so far are below:

Saturday, 10 August

Australia 7-33 South Africa

New Zealand 30-38 Argentina

Saturday, 17 August

New Zealand 42-10 Argentina

Australia 12-30 South Africa

Head-to-head

This will be the 107rd match between these two giants of world rugby, with the first match taking place in 1921.

The All Blacks have won 62 matches, with South Africa winning 40, including the most recent – the 2023 World Cup final.

A reminder of the Rugby Championships standings ahead of a vital match.

1 – South Africa – P2, W2, 10pts

2 – New Zealand – P2, W1, L1, 5pts

3 – Argentina – P2, W1, L1, 4pts

4 – Australia – P2, L2, 0pts

All Blacks expecting ‘feral’ reception for clash with Springboks at Ellis Park

New Zealand rugby are expecting a hostile reception on and off the pitch at Ellis Park on Saturday when they meet South Africa rugby in the first clash between the southern hemisphere heavyweights since the Rugby World Cup final in France.

Sam Cane, the former captain and experienced flanker, will be briefing the squad’s rookie players on what to be ready for when they arrive at the Springboks’ spiritual home, forwards coach Jason Ryan told New Zealand media.

All Blacks expecting ‘feral’ reception for clash with Springboks at Ellis Park

Line-ups

A reminder of how the two teams line up today.

South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Frans Malherbe; 4 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 5 Ruan Nortje; 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Ben-Jason Dixon , 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Cobus Reinach, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu; 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Cheslin Kolbe; 15 Aphelele Fassi.

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Kwagga Smith; 22 Grant Williams, 23 Handre Pollard.

New Zealand XV: 1 Tamaiti Williams, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax; 4 Scott Barrett, 5 Tupou Vaa’i; 6 Ethan Blackadder, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Ardie Savea; 9 TJ Perenara, 10 Damian McKenzie; 11 Caleb Clarke, 12 Jordie Barrett, 13 Rieko Ioane, 14 Will Jordan; 15 Beauden Barrett.

Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Mark Tele’a.

Robertson on New Zealand’s ‘need’ of Sam Cane

Coach Scott Robertson expects former New Zealand captain Sam Cane to be “that Test veteran we need” on Saturday evening when the All Blacks take on the Springboks in Johannesburg.

Cane has been named in the All Blacks’ starting side for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final.

“Sam has been incredible off the field for us. Now’s an opportunity for him to be that Test veteran we need in the Highveld; all that experience and that calmness but also really good, tough shoulders,” Robertson told reporters on Thursday.

“We’re excited for him. Dalton’s got a bit of a thumb injury which ruled him out but there’s not much in it. Dalton played really, really well but we thought that was best for this Test and combinations.

“Obviously, Ethan’s (Blackadder) in great form and you’ve got Ardie Savea out there so it’s a good balanced loose forward trio.”

All Blacks expecting hostile reception in South Africa

New Zealand are expecting a hostile reception on and off the pitch at Ellis Park on Saturday when they meet South Africa in the first clash between the southern hemisphere heavyweights since the Rugby World Cup final in France.

Sam Cane, the former captain and experienced flanker, will be briefing the squad’s rookie players on what to be ready for when they arrive at the Springboks’ spiritual home, forwards coach Jason Ryan told New Zealand media.

“Even the bus trip is pretty feral on the way in, to be fair,” said Ryan. “There are a few [hand] signals going on, and a few empty cans coming towards the window and that sort of thing.

“But I think in all honesty, it is coming from a good place. It is a hell of a rivalry, the Springboks and All Blacks. As much as they want to beat us, there is a good amount of respect there I feel.

“I know there is from us and we look forward to that.”

Springboks given huge boost as Eben Etzebeth passed fit for All Blacks clash

South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth has been passed fit to face New Zealand in a Rugby Championship showdown in Johannesburg on Saturday, but will start from the bench having originally been excluded from the team announced this week due to injury.

Coach Rassie Erasmus omitted the double World Cup winner from his matchday 23 when he named it on Tuesday, but amid a crisis in the second row that sees the Springboks still without five regulars, he has drafted the giant lock into the replacements.

Etzebeth takes the place on the bench of flanker Marco van Staden and should he come on will earn a 125th cap, moving into second place outright on the all-time list for South Africa, two behind former lock Victor Matfield.

Springboks given huge boost as Eben Etzebeth passed fit for All Blacks clash

South Africa v New Zealand prediction

South Africa look to continue their unbeaten start to the Championship but these two matches will definitely be their toughest tests of the tournament.

Luckily, the Springboks are at home, and Erasmus’ side will know they can do damage to a team that has already lost to Argentina. Add in the psychological advantage of the World Cup final win, and the advantage is clearly on South Africa’s side.

South Africa to win.

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New Zealand line-up

New Zealand XV: 1 Tamaiti Williams, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax; 4 Scott Barrett, 5 Tupou Vaa’i; 6 Ethan Blackadder, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Ardie Savea; 9 TJ Perenara, 10 Damian McKenzie; 11 Caleb Clarke, 12 Jordie Barrett, 13 Rieko Ioane, 14 Will Jordan; 15 Beauden Barrett.

Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Mark Tele’a.

New Zealand team news

New Zealand need to strike a blow early as they look to claw back some of the points lost to Argentina in the opener, and head coach Scott Robertson has chosen to go with experience in his starting 15.

Captain Scott Barrett takes his place in the second row alongside Tupou Vaa’i, with former captain Sam Cane also starting for the first time since the World Cup final after an injury to Dalton Papali’i.

In the backs, it is unchanged from the win over Argentina, with TJ Perenara continuing at scrum-half alongside Damian McKenzie at 10.

Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane are in midfield, with Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan and Beauden Barrett chosen as the back three for the first of the double-headers in South Africa.

South Africa line-up

South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Frans Malherbe; 4 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 5 Ruan Nortje; 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Ben-Jason Dixon , 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Cobus Reinach, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu; 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Cheslin Kolbe; 15 Aphelele Fassi.

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Kwagga Smith; 22 Grant Williams, 23 Handre Pollard.

South Africa team news

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has returned to a more full-strength side after making 10 changes to the side that beat Australia in the opener.

This time, the majority of the pack returns, with the notable exception of Eben Etzebeth, who originally looked set to miss out through injury, but is now included on the bench.

And the back line returns to normal too, with Aphelele Fassi, Jesse Kriel and Cheslin Kolbe all keeping their places alongside new fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Action, with coverage starting at 3.50pm BST. Subscribers can also stream the match via Sky Go, or purchase a pass for NOW TV. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

When is the match?

South Africa vs New Zealand kicks off at 4pm BST on Saturday, 31 August, and takes place at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Good afternoon!

Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of today’s Rugby Championship action as South Africa take on New Zealand in a blockbuster clash that will have big ramifications on the table.

The Springboks currently sit top of the tree, after two wins from two against Australia, and are looking strong to win a trohpy that has evaded them since 2019.

The All Blacks lost their opening fixture in a tight contest versus Argentina but bounced back to defeat Los Pumas 42-10 in the second match of the competition.

New Zealand must come out of today’s match victorious if they have any hopes of winning the tournament. South Africa have a five point lead which must be overturned in the next two games to set up, what will be a fantastic finish to this Rugby Championship.

We’ll have all the updates throughout the afternoon so stick around as we build up to kick off at 4pm BST.