The Springboks face New Zealand in Wellington this Saturday, which has been a happy hunting ground for them in recent times.
The last time the teams met at the Sky Stadium was in 2019, where they played to a 16-16 draw, while South Africa also won the previous encounter between the sides 36-34 at the stadium.
Ahead of this weekend’s ‘rematch’, we look back at some of the Springboks’ greatest ever wins against the All Blacks on their home turf.
FIVE GREATEST SPRINGBOK WINS IN NEW ZEALAND (in chronological order)
28 August 1981 (Springboks 24 All Blacks 12)
In 1981, during a highly controversial tour in the midst of South Africa’s predominant sporting isolation, the Springboks secured a 24-12 victory over the All Blacks in Wellington. The match, played at Athletic Park, was the second of three Tests and helped the Springboks to a 1-1 series lead before the All Blacks ultimately won the deciding match. A Naas Botha masterclass saw the legendary flyhalf slot five penalties, one conversion (of a Gerrie Germishuys try) as well as a drop goal.
25 July 1998 (Springboks 13 All Blacks 3)
At the same venue in 1998, the Springboks victory in Wellington was a special occasion as it was their first win on New Zealand soil in 17 years. The ferociously physical match was defined by a strong defensive effort from the Springboks, with Pieter Rossouw scoring the only try of the game, while a young Percy Montgomery slotted two penalties and a conversion.
12 July 2008 (Springboks 30 All Blacks 28)
The Springboks’ narrow win in Dunedin in 2008 was a hard-fought and emotional victory. With the team trailing and a man down after a yellow card, scrumhalf Ricky Januarie sealed the dramatic win with a moment of individual brilliance, chipping the ball over a defender and regathering it to score the match-winning try.
12 September 2009 (Springboks 32 All Blacks 29)
In 2009, the Springboks clinched the Tri-Nations title with a 32-29 victory in Hamilton, a win that completed a clean sweep against the All Blacks in the tournament. The match was highlighted by a couple long-range penalties from Frans Steyn and an intercept try by Jean de Villiers, which proved crucial in securing the win.
15 September 2018 (Springboks 36 All Blacks 34)
The 2018 match in Wellington saw the Springboks produce a stunning 36-34 upset, in a thrilling, high-scoring affair. Despite the All Blacks outscoring the visitors by six tries to five, the Boks held their nerve in the final minutes to end a nine-year losing streak in New Zealand. It was also a result that was a crucial stepping stone on the Springboks’ path to the successful 2019 World Cup.
Springboks’ overall record against New Zealand:
Played: 109, Won: 42, Lost: 63, Drawn: 4. Points for: 1 807; Points against: 2 259; Tries scored: 175; Tries conceded: 247. Win %: 38.6%.
Which games stand out most to you?
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