Springboks beat All Blacks 33-26 in Cape Town on Saturday, 29 August 2026, in an epic comeback victory that levelled the four-Test Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series at 1-1.
Playing in front of 56,589 spectators at DHL Stadium, South Africa produced a far stronger performance than in the opening Test in Johannesburg. The Boks led 24-14 at halftime before surviving a determined New Zealand fightback.
The result was especially significant because the Springboks beat All Blacks opposition that had arrived in Cape Town unbeaten on their 2026 tour of South Africa.
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Springboks Strike Early in Cape Town
South Africa made their intentions clear almost immediately, scoring a try within the opening two minutes.
Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende and captain Siya Kolisi crossed the try line for the Springboks during the match, while Cheslin Kolbe was faultless from the kicking tee.
Kolbe converted all three South African tries and added four penalty goals, contributing 18 points to the Springboks’ final score.
Although New Zealand outscored South Africa by four tries to three, the Springboks’ accuracy from the kicking tee proved decisive.
The Boks never surrendered the lead despite the All Blacks continuing to apply pressure, particularly during the closing stages of the match.
Springboks Beat All Blacks to Level the Series
The Springboks beat All Blacks 33-26 after producing one of their strongest performances of the tour so far. South Africa combined physical pressure with accurate kicking and disciplined defence to stop New Zealand from completing another late comeback
Siya Kolisi Helps Lead Springbok Response
The Cape Town Test provided another memorable moment for Siya Kolisi, who marked his return to the starting lineup with a try.
South Africa had entered the match under considerable pressure following their 33-16 defeat to the All Blacks in Johannesburg a week earlier.
This time, the Springboks looked sharper and more determined from the opening whistle.
The victory ensured that what could have become a difficult series for South Africa is now wide open.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus was pleased with the result but warned that his team could not afford to become comfortable.
He described New Zealand as a brilliant side and acknowledged that there were still areas South Africa would have to improve before the next Test.
Special Milestone for Pieter-Steph du Toit
Saturday was also a memorable occasion for Pieter-Steph du Toit, who earned his 100th Springbok Test cap.
The two-time World Rugby Player of the Year took over the captaincy when Kolisi left the field during the second half.
Reaching 100 Test appearances places Du Toit among an elite group of South African rugby players and added another special element to a memorable Cape Town victory.
All Blacks Tour of South Africa: Results So Far
The 2026 tour has revived the tradition of major All Blacks tours to South Africa.
Before the Test series began, New Zealand faced four of South Africa’s leading provincial and franchise teams — the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and Lions.
The All Blacks won all four of those matches as well as the opening Test against the Springboks.
Here is how the tour has unfolded so far:
| Date | Match | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 August 2026 | Stormers vs All Blacks | DHL Stadium, Cape Town | All Blacks won 38-21 |
| 11 August 2026 | Sharks vs All Blacks | Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban | All Blacks won 54-0 |
| 15 August 2026 | Bulls vs All Blacks | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | All Blacks won 50-19 |
| 22 August 2026 | Springboks vs All Blacks – 1st Test | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | All Blacks won 33-16 |
| 25 August 2026 | Lions vs All Blacks | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | All Blacks won 41-35 |
| 29 August 2026 | Springboks vs All Blacks – 2nd Test | DHL Stadium, Cape Town | Springboks won 33-26 |
The Cape Town result therefore marked a major turning point. New Zealand had won its first five matches of the tour before the Springboks beat All Blacks 33-26 and brought the visitors’ unbeaten run to an end.
More importantly for the Springboks, the four-Test series between the two national teams now stands at one victory each.
Rivalry Now Heads Back to Johannesburg
The Springboks and All Blacks will meet again on Saturday, 5 September 2026, this time at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
With the series level at 1-1, the third Test has suddenly become even more important.
A Springbok victory would give South Africa a 2-1 lead before the final Test, while another All Blacks win would put New Zealand in control heading into the final encounter.
The fourth and final Test will be played at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, United States, on 12 September 2026, taking one of international rugby’s greatest rivalries to American soil.
The overall tour winner will receive the specially created Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry trophy. If the four-Test series ends in a draw, each country will retain one half of the trophy.
Springboks Have Their Momentum Back
Saturday’s result may ultimately prove to be one of the most important matches of the series.
New Zealand arrived in Cape Town unbeaten on tour and had already defeated four South African teams as well as the Springboks.
South Africa needed a response — and they produced one.
The 33-26 Springbok victory over the All Blacks has not only stopped New Zealand’s unbeaten tour run but has transformed the series into a genuine contest.
Now all eyes turn to Johannesburg on 5 September.
After the Springboks beat All Blacks in Cape Town, the series now heads back to Johannesburg with both teams having one Test victory each.
If the first two Tests are anything to go by, Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry still has plenty of drama to come.
Sources: SA Rugby and New Zealand Rugby / All Blacks official match and tour information.
