With the Springboks and All Blacks currently locked in an epic battle in the Greatest Rivalry series, it's always good to be reminded of why few rivalries in world sport can match the history, intensity and drama of South Africa vs New Zealand.
Here are 5 unforgettable encounters between the two rivals, from World Cup finals to Rugby Championship classics.
- South Africa 15–12 New Zealand – 1995 Rugby World Cup Final
24 June 1995, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
The 1995 Rugby World Cup final was about far more than rugby. South Africa was hosting its first World Cup after the end of apartheid, and Nelson Mandela's decision to embrace the Springbok jersey helped turn the tournament into a powerful symbol of national reconciliation.
On the field, the match was an epic. The All Blacks were the favourites, having dominated the tournament and unearthed a global star in 20-year-old behemoth left wing Jonah Lomu, who had scored seven tries earlier in the tournament. However, South Africa's defence repeatedly stopped the giant winger with brave tackles. The scores were level at 9–9 after 80 minutes, forcing the first extra-time period of 20 minutes in a World Cup final.
The teams exchanged further penalties and were tied 12- 12 at half-time in extra time before Springbok fly-half Joel Stransky stepped forward. Stransky struck a drop goal from around 30 metres with seven minutes remaining. It sailed between the posts to give South Africa a 15–12 victory.
The images that followed became iconic parts of sporting history: Mandela, wearing a Springbok jersey, presenting the Webb Ellis Cup to captain Francois Pienaar.
- South Africa 46–40 New Zealand – 2000
19 August 2000, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
The 2000 Tri-Nations match at Ellis Park between South Africa and New Zealand was the type of thriller these teams are renowned for producing when facing each other
The Springboks delivered an astonishing attacking display, scoring six tries in a match that featured 86 points. New Zealand refused to surrender, however, and repeatedly fought its way back into contention, trailing 33-27 at half time.
The lead changed hands throughout an extraordinary second half, with the All Blacks leading 40-39 with only a few minutes left. The Springboks scored a try through scrumhalf Werner Swanepoel to take a 46-40 lead, which would remain the final score. Centre Robbie Fleck and Swanepoel scored 2 tries each while legendary All Blacks fullback Christian Cullen scored 2 tries in one of the highest-scoring matches in the rivalry's history.
- South Africa 27–38 New Zealand – 2013
5 October 2013, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
The All Blacks arrived in Johannesburg chasing an unbeaten season and only needed one bonus point to secure The Rugby Championship. Conversely, the Springboks didn’t only need to win but score 4 tries while denying the All Blacks any bonus points. These pre-match permutations prompted the Springboks to forego its usual game plan and run the ball more, which ultimately resulted in a spectacular contest featuring brilliant attacking play, momentum swings and a dramatic finish.
New Zealand eventually won 38–27, becoming the first Test side to complete an entire season unbeaten in the professional era. The All Blacks scored five tries, with Liam Messam scoring 2 tries, while South Africa also crossed the line four times, with Bryan Habana scoring 2 spectacular tries in a match that seemed to accelerate every time the scoreboard changed.
The referee for the match, Nigel Owens, later stated that it was the greatest rugby match that he had refereed.
- New Zealand 34- 36 South Africa – 2018
15 September 2018, Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
A year after the All Blacks humiliated the Springboks with their largest defeat ever (57-0) in the Rugby Championship, the Springboks redeemed themselves with an epic and nail-biting victory. After the All Blacks up 12-0 early on, it seemed like the result could be a repeat of the preceding year’s game.
However, the Springboks fought back early on and gained the lead for the rest of the match, eventually holding on 36-34 as the All Blacks camped on the Springbok line. Left wing Aphiwe Dyanti scored 2 tries as the South Africans celebrated one of the most iconic victories in the rivalry,a win that laid the path for the highly successful Springbok era under coach Rassie Erasmus.
- South Africa 12–11 New Zealand – 2023 Rugby World Cup Final
28 October 2023, Stade de France, Paris
South Africa entered the final as defending champions, while both teams were seeking to claim a record 4th Webb Ellis Cup. The match quickly became a brutal tactical and physical battle.
The Springboks built a narrow lead through the boot of Handré Pollard, and led 12-6 at half-time, but the All Blacks kept fighting. New Zealand captain Sam Cane was sent off in the first half, leaving his team with 14 players for the remainder of the match, while South Africa also suffered a big blow when hooker Bongani Mbonambi was stretchered off in the early minutes, leaving Deon Fourie (who had limited experience playing hooker at international level) to replace him.
Despite being a man down, New Zealand refused to collapse. The All Blacks scored a crucial try through fullback Beauden Barrett and created other opportunities that it couldn’t take, missing 2 crucial kicks for post, resulting in South Africa holding firm to win 12–11.
The victory made the Springboks the first nation to win four Rugby World Cup titles, while also completing an extraordinary run of 3 consecutive knockout victories by a single point.
The Rivalry Continues
What makes Springboks-All Blacks matches so special is that history never seems to matter once the whistle blows. The teams can arrive with completely different records, coaches and playing styles, yet the contests almost invariably produce enormous physical intensity and extraordinary drama.
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