The rivalry between the Springboks and the All Blacks is considered the most significant in world rugby, as it is marked by a rich history of sporting events and dramatic moments that are remembered for generations to come.
Below are five of the most memorable victories of the Springbok team over the All Blacks, which occurred before the start of the greatest rugby rivalry tour.
June 24, 1995: South Africa 15–12 New Zealand (World Cup Final)
This match was decisive in the history of South African rugby. The Springboks, led by François Pienaar, faced the seemingly invincible All Blacks team, which included the outstanding John Lomu. Through perseverance, masterful defensive execution, and tries from Joel Stransky, the Springboks managed to withstand the onslaught of the New Zealand side.
When the score was tied at 12–12 in extra time, Stransky executed one of the most famous drop goals in history, securing the World Cup victory. The trophy presentation ceremony with Nelson Mandela in a Springboks jersey transcended sport, uniting the nation and making this victory the highest sporting moment for South Africa.
August 15, 1998: South Africa 24–23 New Zealand
After defeating the All Blacks in Wellington, the Springboks aimed for a double victory on home soil, with the Tri-Nations title at stake. However, the visitors initially took the lead with a score of 23–5, putting the Bok team in a difficult position 20 minutes before the end of the match. Nevertheless, the Boks managed an incredible comeback, thanks to tries by Justin van der Westhuizen and Bobby Skinstad, bringing the home team back into the game. Hooker James Dalton sealed the victory by scoring the decisive try from the maul in the final minutes.
September 15, 2018: South Africa 36–34 New Zealand
In one of the greatest test matches ever played, the recovering Springboks under Rassie Erasmus surprised the rugby world by beating the two-time champions All Blacks in Wellington. Trailing early in the game, South Africa launched a thrilling counterattack, exploiting New Zealand's errors to score five tries, including a brace from Afife Dyanty.
The last twenty minutes of the match were marked by heroic and desperate defense of the goal line by the Boks as the All Blacks threw everything at them. This landmark victory against all odds ended a nine-year drought in New Zealand and laid the foundation for South Africa's triumph at the 2019 World Cup.
August 25, 2023: South Africa 35–7 New Zealand
In the final friendly match before the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the Springboks inflicted the heaviest defeat on New Zealand in its 121-year history of test matches. The South African attacking team demonstrated formidable physical power, completely dominating the scrums, driving mauls, and rucks. Dominant play in the first half allowed the Boks to build an insurmountable lead, after which they employed the infamous 7–1 substitution tactic from the bench, which completely demoralized the All Blacks.
The five-try victory was a powerful statement of intent, undermining New Zealand's momentum and signaling to the world South Africa's readiness to retain the Webb Ellis Cup.
September 13, 2025: South Africa 43–10 New Zealand
As part of the Rugby Championship, the Springboks delivered an absolute masterclass, inflicting the largest defeat on New Zealand in its test match history. After a narrow loss in Auckland the previous week, the Springboks relentlessly dismantled the hosts, using a destructive combination of scrum dominance and clinical finishing. The Boks outperformed the Kiwis at every stage, breaking through defensive lines and scoring a series of brilliant tries. This record margin of 33 points broke the previous record set just two years prior, definitively cementing South Africa's place at the top of world rugby.