New Zealand’s Will Jordan celebrates after scoring his second try as the All Blacks beat the Springboks 33-16 in the first test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday 22 August 2026. Image: Getty
New Zealand beat the Springboks 33-16 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday 22 August 2026. The All Blacks Springboks first test result was a shock. The Boks led 13-12 at half-time. They were still ahead 16-12 early in the second half. Furthermore, New Zealand took over completely and scored five tries to one as the Boks fell away. As a result, the All Blacks go one up in the four-test series.
New Zealand winger Will Jordan was the standout performer. He scored two tries and won Man of the Match. His pace exposed the Springboks repeatedly in the second half. Furthermore, the Boks wasted several chances inside the New Zealand 22-metre area. That wastefulness proved costly. As a result, South Africa lost their first home test since 16 August 2025.
Discipline also hurt the Springboks badly. Marco van Staden received a yellow card in the 69th minute for an infringement near his own tryline. The Boks finished with 13 men. Furthermore, South Africa conceded penalties at critical moments in the second half. New Zealand used those penalties to build pressure and score. As a result, handling errors and ill-discipline were the two biggest factors in South Africa’s defeat.
New Zealand came into the match as underdogs. They travelled without several key players. South Africa had a sold-out Ellis Park behind them. However, New Zealand played with power and precision the Boks could not match. All Blacks skipper Ardie Savea led from the front throughout. Furthermore, New Zealand took full advantage of every South African mistake. As a result, the All Blacks produced one of the best second-half performances by a visiting team at Ellis Park in years.
The series continues with the second test in Cape Town next week. The teams then head to the United States for the fourth fixture on 12 September 2026. Furthermore, the Springboks need to bounce back quickly to level the series. As a result, next week’s Cape Town test is already must-win territory for South Africa.