Springboks’ 4-1 record against All Blacks in last five Tests – all you need to know

From the All Blacks' biggest rugby defeat in history to the 2023 World Cup final, the Springboks have had the edge over their rivals in the last three years. The Springboks and All Blacks are primed for a colossal clash at Ellis Park on Saturday, in the first of four Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tests. It’s the All Blacks’ first lengthy tour of South Africa in 30 years. Historically, the visitors have won 63 of the 110 clashes between the sides, but momentum has swung the way of the Springboks in the last three years. Here we look at the last five Tests played between the teams. Wellington, 13 September 2025: 43-10 to the Springboks The last match between the sides was the biggest, score-wise, in their history. It was also New Zealand’s biggest defeat in rugby. Besides the psychological boost of avenging their defeat in Auckland, the bonus-point result was crucial to the Springboks securing their first-ever back-to-back Rugby Championship title. The Springboks had the better chances early on but found themselves trailing 10-0, and then 10-7 at the break. They would make up for it with a dazzling second-half display. The Springboks ran in five unanswered tries to improve on their previous best win over the All Blacks: 35-7 at Twickenham in 2023. Cheslin Kolbe scored a brace while Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Damian Willemse and André Esterhuizen also crossed. Manie Libbok set up Smith’s try with a cross-kick, slotted five of his six conversion attempts, and nailed a penalty to round out a brilliant performance. Ackland, 6 September 2025: 24-17 to the All Blacks The Springboks went into the game on a four-match winning streak against New Zealand and seemed primed to break the hosts’ 50-match unbeaten run at Eden Park, going back to 1994. But it was not to be. While Springbok fans might bemoan possible inconsistent refereeing, the South African side made errors aplenty, including three obstructions, knock-ons, slips, a “bok” throw in a lineout and a yellow card. But they fought hard – seemingly against themselves and the referee – for tries by Malcolm Marx and Cobus Reinach, ultimately earning a losing bonus point in the closely contested Rugby Championship. The All Blacks’ Ardie Savea was grateful for the result in his 100 Test cap. Tries by Emoni Narawa, Will Jordan and Quinn Tupaea made it possible. Cape Town, 7 September 2024: 18-12 to Springboks A second hard-fought win over the All Blacks paved the way for the Springboks’ victory in that year’s Rugby Championship. The Boks scored two tries through captain Siya Kolisi and hooker Malcolm Marx to secure their fourth win in a row in the competition, as well as over their rivals. Centre Damian de Allende had an outstanding performance. He carried regularly, getting over the gainline, made plenty of tackles, stole ball at the breakdowns and, later on, made an important charge down to thwart an All Blacks attacking play. Damian McKenzie kicked over four penalties for the All Blacks Johannesburg, 31 August 2024: 31-27 to Springboks The All Blacks edged a hard-fought first half to take a 12-11 lead into the break, before the game opened up in the second half with the visitors initially taking a 27-17 lead, before the Boks came storming back to take the win. Neither side had set-piece dominance, though the Springboks secured one scrum penalty. Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu kicked that one over, and in total slotted four penalties and two conversions for a good day out. Bongi Mbonambi, Kwagga Smith and Grant Williams crossed for tries for the hosts, while New Zealand’s Codie Taylor, Jordie Barrett and Caleb Clarke (two tries) also crossed. 2023 World Cup Final, 28 October, Paris: 12-11 to Springboks The third play-off that the Springboks won by just one point in that World Cup, after the quarter-final against France (29-28) and semi-final against England (16-15). It was another heart-racing, closely fought, ground-out win for South Africa to mark their fourth World Cup title, and first back-to-back win. Handré Pollard, called up as an injury replacement, started agaisnt Tonga in the group stage and came off the bench against France and England. He wore the number 10 jersey in the final in the place of the struggling Libbok, and slotted four penalties in the ground-out win. He finished with 13/13 in the tournament. Richie Mo’unga scored two penalties but missed one penalty and a conversion that could have won the trophy for his side. It was the last game he played for the All Blacks until being drafted into the squad now.