All Blacks beat Springboks 33-16 in Ellis Park series opener

New Zealand opened their four-Test series against South Africa with a 33-16 victory at Ellis Park, scoring five tries to one against the world champions. The Guardian reported that the result was the All Blacks’ first win at the Johannesburg ground since 2022 and only their second victory over the Springboks in seven meetings.

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South Africa took the first points through a Cheslin Kolbe penalty before Will Jordan finished in the right corner for New Zealand’s opening try. The hosts regained the lead when André Esterhuizen, an early replacement for the injured Kurt-Lee Arendse, powered over. Josh Moorby then collected a Tupou Vaa’i offload to score the All Blacks’ second try.

Kolbe added two more penalties during a period when South Africa’s scrum applied sustained pressure. However, the Springboks failed to convert three visits to New Zealand’s 22 before halftime, including an opportunity that ended when Malcolm Marx lost the ball close to the line under pressure from Jordie Barrett.

The match turned after the restart when Fabian Holland charged down scrum-half Grant Williams and scored for New Zealand. South Africa again created territory through their scrum but handling errors stopped them from capitalising. Luke Jacobson later finished from close range after Damian McKenzie’s run had moved the All Blacks into an attacking position, with Ruben Love’s conversion establishing a 10-point advantage.

South Africa finished with 13 players after replacements Marco van Staden and Cobus Reinach were sent to the sin-bin in quick succession for infringements near their own line. Jordan then added his second try, again on the right, to complete New Zealand’s five-try performance. The Guardian’s report credited the All Blacks’ defence and their ability to take chances after absorbing long stretches of pressure.

The victory gives New Zealand the early advantage in the series after the teams’ previous meeting ended in a 43-10 South African win in Wellington. South Africa now need to win all three remaining Tests to claim the series outright, beginning with a response in the second Test in Cape Town.