South Africa consigned the All Blacks to a fifth loss in six Tests, eclipsing their opponents with a suffocating performance that increased the pressure on Ian Foster, New Zealand’s beleaguered head coach.
Breakdown disruption, swarming defence, aerial dominance and set-piece power were the familiar pillars of the Springboks’ display in Nelspruit.
Kurt-Lee Arendse, who was later sent off, and Willie Le Roux scored tries with Handrè Pollard kicking 16 points. Malcolm Marx, on the occasion of his 50th cap, was phenomenal on the floor and tormented the All Blacks with numerous turnovers.
New Zealand managed a late consolation try through Shannon Frizell, but continually struggled for a foothold. “A lot of the credit has to go to the Springboks, especially in the first half,” said Sam Cane, New Zealand’s captain, afterwards. “They threw a heck of a lot at us.