There is no greater matchup in world rugby than when the Springboks and the All Blacks clash, a storied rivalry defined by unmatched historic sporting drama.
Spanning over a century of iconic battles, encounters between these two heavyweights regularly transcend the sport itself, producing moments of sheer brilliance and nail-biting finishes that linger for generations.
Here look at five of the Springboks’ most memorable victories over the All Blacks ahead of the start of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour.
June 24, 1995: South Africa 15–12 New Zealand (World Cup final)
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Score: Springboks 15–12 All Blacks
The definitive match in South Africa’s rugby history. Francois Pienaar’s Springboks faced an apparently unstoppable All Blacks team starring a prime Jonah Lomu in the 1995 World Cup final. Through sheer grit, a defensive masterclass, and the boot of Joel Stransky, the Springboks contained the Kiwi juggernaut.
Locked at 12–12 in extra time, Stransky slotted the most famous drop goal in history to secure the World Cup. Nelson Mandela presenting the trophy in a Springbok jersey transcended sport, uniting a nation and cementing this victory as South Africa’s ultimate sporting moment.
August 15, 1998: South Africa 24–23 New Zealand
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Score: Springboks 24–23 All Blacks
After beating the All Blacks in Wellington, the Springboks were looking to do the double on the All Blacks on home soil with the Tri-Nations title on the line.
However, the visitors romped to a 23-5 lead, with the Boks firmly on the ropes with 20 minutes to go. But the Boks then launched a comeback for the ages, with tries from Joost van der Westhuizen and Bobby Skinstad getting the home side back in the game. Hooker James Dalton then completed the victory by scoring the winning try in the final minutes from a maul.
September 15, 2018: South Africa 36–34 New Zealand
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Score: Springboks 36–34 All Blacks
In one of the greatest Test matches ever played, Rassie Erasmus’ rebuilding Springboks stunned the rugby world by defeating the double-World Champion All Blacks in Wellington.
Trailing early on, South Africa launched a breathtaking counter-attack, capitalising on New Zealand errors to score five tries, including a double from Aphiwe Dyantyi.
The final 20 minutes saw the Boks produce a heroic, desperate goal-line defence as the All Blacks threw everything at them. This iconic, against-the-odds victory ended a nine-year drought on New Zealand soil and laid the foundation for their 2019 World Cup triumph.
August 25, 2023: South Africa 35–7 New Zealand
Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London
Score: Springboks 35–7 All Blacks
In their final warm-up fixture before the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the Springboks handed New Zealand what was then the heaviest defeat in their 121-year Test history.
South Africa’s forward pack delivered a terrifying exhibition of physical power, completely dominating the set-pieces, driving mauls, and breakdowns. A dominant first-half performance saw the Boks build an insurmountable lead before unleashing a notorious 7–1 bench split that blew the All Blacks away.
The five-try victory was a massive statement of intent, shattering New Zealand’s momentum and signalling to the world that South Africa were primed to retain their Webb Ellis Cup.
September 13, 2025: South Africa 43–10 New Zealand
Venue: Sky Stadium, Wellington
Score: Springboks 43–10 All Blacks
The Springboks put on an absolute masterclass in the Rugby Championship to hand New Zealand the heaviest defeat in their Test history.
After narrowly losing out the week before in Auckland, the Springboks relentlessly dismantled the hosts with a devastating blend of set-piece dominance and clinical finishing.
The Boks overpowered the Kiwi pack at every turn, tearing through the defensive lines to run in a series of sublime tries.
This record-breaking 33-point margin shattered the previous record set just two years earlier, firmly cementing South Africa’s place at the summit of world rugby.
