Test 2: South Africa vs All Blacks
South Africa 33 – 26 All Blacks
Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test 2, DHL Stadium, Cape Town, August 29, 2026. Half-time: 24-14. Series: 1-1.
Try scorers: South Africa: Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Siya Kolisi. Cheslin Kolbe 3 conversions, 4 penalties. New Zealand: Cam Roigard, Damian McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Ardie Savea. Ruben Love 3 conversions.
The match: The Springboks were a different proposition from the opening whistle at DHL Stadium, arriving with intent and a clarity of purpose that had been missing in Test 1. Jesse Kriel opened the scoring in the second minute off a quick-fire Cobus Reinach pass. The All Blacks responded when Will Jordan drew both Springbok centers before releasing Cam Roigard to race under the posts in the 15th minute. But South Africa kept coming, with Damian de Allende slipping through close range, before Damian McKenzie replied for New Zealand. Siya Kolisi, returning from his hamstring injury to captain the side, crossed for a try that gave the Springboks a 24-14 lead at half-time.
The second half was more even, with Kolbe adding two further penalties while the All Blacks' rolling maul and backline width created opportunities. Leroy Carter crossed after a patient All Blacks attack, and Ardie Savea scored his 33rd Test try, his fifth against the Boks, to bring New Zealand within seven with four minutes remaining. But South Africa held firm, a breakdown penalty in the final moments ending the All Blacks' last chance. The Springboks won despite being outscored four tries to three, Kolbe's accuracy from the tee plus the first-half scoreboard pressure proving the decisive factor.
Malcolm Marx off the bench: One of the defining sub-plots was the introduction of Malcolm Marx from the bench in the 35th minute. The impact was immediate and dramatic. Marx won three breakdown turnover penalties, made a clean linebreak, and his two second-half breakdown penalties produced six critical Kolbe points. The All Blacks match report noted his entry as a key turning point in the breakdown battle.
The milestones: Pieter-Steph du Toit played his 100th Test cap for the Springboks, and Deon Fourie, at 39, became the oldest player ever to represent South Africa when he started at hooker. Kolisi's return to captain the side added another emotional dimension to an already charged occasion. The series now heads to FNB Stadium in Soweto for Test 3 on September 5, then to M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore for Test 4 on September 12.
LIPPY'S VIEW
Usually I watch these games and make notes during the match so I can write a coherent commentary. This time I found myself in Split, Croatia, not the most rugby-friendly place in the world. I scoured the town to find the only pub playing the match. As I entered there was a group of young South Africans and a lone Kiwi, all in their early to late twenties. I ended up joining them for the game and was invited to continue festivities after.
Other than them being a really great group of people, the main takeaway for me was their absolute love for the Springboks. Not the usual team fan love, but a visceral connection that is different from anything I have seen before in sports. This team represents the best of what South Africa can be. It is a team that encapsulates the aspirations of all the people in the country and has a culture that all South Africans and the South African diaspora relate to. The remarkable respect that all of them also have for the All Blacks captures all that is great in this sport, and something all rugby fans should be proud of, regardless of who they support and where they come from. Made me very proud to be an avid lover of this great game.
Erasmus's Last-Minute Front Row Gamble
The story of the week from the Springbok camp was Rassie Erasmus switching his entire starting front row less than an hour before kick-off. Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw had initially been named to start, but Erasmus promoted Gerhard Steenekamp, Deon Fourie and Thomas du Toit from the bench after the weather forecast changed during the week. "We thought it was going to be wet, and that's why we picked that front row," Erasmus explained. The gamble worked: Fourie was outstanding before being replaced by Marx after 35 minutes, and the full Bomb Squad impact then unfolded exactly as Erasmus had designed.
Wallabies vs Argentina: Kiss Remains Unbeaten
Australia 27 – 21 Argentina
Flight Centre Series Test 1, Estadio 23 de Agosto, Jujuy, Argentina, August 29, 2026. Wallabies 3-0 under Les Kiss. Australia's best winning run since 2021.
The match: Playing in the mountain town of San Salvador de Jujuy at altitude, the Wallabies made a fast start and never relinquished the lead. Brandon Paenga-Amosa opened the scoring after Josh Canham broke the line from deep. Carter Gordon extended the lead from the blind side before Argentina fought back through Boris Wegner to make it a one-score game. Tom Hooper benefited from a Hunter Paisami break to restore the Wallabies' cushion, and Fraser McReight was named Player of the Match for an outstanding display at the breakdown. Australia have now won four consecutive Tests for the first time since 2021, with Kiss 3-0 since taking over. Test 2 is in Mendoza on September 5.
LIPPY'S VIEW
With everything that the Wallabies have endured over the past three years, it is great to see them on a run of form, reinvigorated by the leadership of Joe Schmidt and now with Les Kiss taking over. It is never easy for any team to win in Argentina against the Pumas, and the Wallabies pulled it off. They did not make it easy for themselves and in many ways nearly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. But luckily the Pumas made as many handling and tactical mistakes as them, and they managed to finish with a win that really could have been easier. Not taking key penalties to put the game two scores away in the final 10 minutes, trying to run from their own half while protecting an 8-point lead. But as we say, a win is a win.
Now they have pulled ahead of Argentina to seventh in the world. A solid move after languishing for a while. Let's see how they fare next week in the second Test in Mendoza, but the sport needs Australia to do well, and next year's World Cup in Australia should be no exception.
NPC: Round 5 Results
Hawke's Bay 36 – 21 Southland
Hawke's Bay stay perfect at the top with a bonus-point win.
Bay of Plenty 22 – 19 Auckland
Bay of Plenty edge a close contest to continue their push for the top 8.
Otago 43 – 38 Waikato
A high-scoring thriller. Otago move into the top three.
Manawatu 43 – 40 North Harbour
A remarkable 83-point match. Manawatu edge North Harbour in a thriller.
Counties Manukau 46 – 35 Wellington
Counties break their losing run. Wellington remain winless after five rounds.
Northland 20 – 10 Tasman
Northland defend home with a solid win. Ranfurly Shield retained.
| NPC Standings After Round 5 (Top 8 of 14) | P | W | L | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawke's Bay | 5 | 5 | 0 | 25 |
| Northland | 5 | 4 | 1 | 21 |
| Canterbury | 5 | 4 | 1 | 19 |
| Otago | 5 | 4 | 1 | 20 |
| Bay of Plenty | 5 | 3 | 2 | 15 |
| Waikato | 5 | 3 | 2 | 14 |
| Tasman | 5 | 3 | 2 | 13 |
| North Harbour | 5 | 3 | 2 | 12 |
Top 8 qualify for playoffs. Full standings at npc.rugby.
Currie Cup: Semifinals Set
The Currie Cup regular season is complete. Griquas sealed top spot with a commanding 48-17 win over Boland in Wellington, finishing on 31 points, four clear of the Cheetahs on 27. The Pumas booked third place and the Lions fourth after both won convincingly in the final round. The Sharks XV finished fifth, while Boland and Stormers XXIII both ended on 16 points and missed out.
| Currie Cup Final Standings After Round 7 | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Griquas | 7 | 31 |
| 2. Cheetahs | 7 | 27 |
| 3. Pumas | 7 | 22 |
| 4. Lions | 7 | 20 |
| 5. Sharks XV | 7 | 18 |
| 6. Boland Cavaliers | 7 | 16 |
| 7. Stormers XXIII | 7 | 16 |
| 8. Blue Bulls | 7 | 6 |
Semifinals Sunday September 6: Griquas vs Lions, Kimberley 1pm; Cheetahs vs Pumas, Bloemfontein 3:30pm.
Around the Grounds: What the Pundits Are Saying
The series debate: The dominant pundit conversation after Test 2 centred on whether the All Blacks can win at altitude at FNB Stadium in Soweto. The Breakdown NZ noted that the All Blacks' set-piece issues in the first half, particularly at scrum time, will need urgent attention before next Saturday.
Kolisi's return the difference: Multiple analysts pointed to Siya Kolisi's return as the single most significant factor in the Test 2 result. His try in the 35th minute gave the Springboks their half-time cushion, but his influence at the breakdown and in the loose was equally important. Justin Marshall on RugbyPass said the Springboks looked like a different team with Kolisi in the back row.
Du Toit's 100th cap: Pieter-Steph du Toit's milestone was widely celebrated. Boks Unpacked noted that his versatility across loosehead lock, number six and number eight makes him one of the most valuable forwards in world rugby. Jean de Villiers described him as "the ultimate teammate, always putting the team first, always available, always performing."
Wallabies: Kiss era taking shape: Tim Horan on RugbyPass Talking Rugby praised the Wallabies' ability to win ugly at altitude, noting it is a sign of a maturing team. Fraser McReight's Player of the Match performance drew wide praise, with Morgan Turinui calling him "the heartbeat of this forward pack."
Looking Ahead
Saturday September 5: Rugby's Greatest Rivalry. TEST 3: Springboks vs All Blacks, FNB Stadium, Soweto. Series locked 1-1.
Saturday September 5: Wallabies vs Argentina Test 2, Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza.
Sunday September 6: Currie Cup Semifinals. Griquas vs Lions, Kimberley 1pm; Cheetahs vs Pumas, Bloemfontein 3:30pm.
NPC Round 6 begins Thursday September 3.