The All Blacks extended their unbeaten run at Eden Park to 51 matches with a hard-fought win against the Springboks on Saturday.

The 24-17 victory took New Zealand to the top of the Rugby Championship log with 10 points after three rounds, followed by the Wallabies (who beat Argentina 28-24 earlier in the day) with nine. The Boks and Los Pumas each have five.

The world champions’ bid for history in Auckland was derailed by costly first-half defensive lapses, lineout malfunctions and handling errors. New Zealand were below their best, but still good enough to snap a four-match losing run against their greatest rivals.

PICK YOUR MVP: Boks vs All Blacks

The All Blacks made the perfect start when Beauden Barrett’s cross-kick found Emoni Narawa, who ducked under Willie le Roux’s tackle before scoring. Jordie Barrett kicked the conversion but missed a penalty soon after.

90 SECONDS!

Emoni Narawa scores the first for the @AllBlacks in the first two minutes!#NZLvRSA #TheRugbyChampionship pic.twitter.com/A5wioQcbz5

— TheRugbyChampionship (@SanzarTRC) September 6, 2025

Things continued to go wrong for the Boks, with a wild pass costing them 30 metres of field possession and an infield ‘lineout’ resulting in a turnover.

A 50/22 from Beauden Barrett then resulted in an All Blacks lineout from which Will Jordan scored after a missed tackle from Malcolm Marx. Damian McKenzie – on for Narawa – added the extras to make it 14-0.

The @AllBlacks go back to back!

Will Jordan scores a quick second try of #NZLvRSA#TheRugbyChampionship pic.twitter.com/G88bTRX7mM

— TheRugbyChampionship (@SanzarTRC) September 6, 2025

Handre Pollard got the Boks on the board with a penalty goal, but was off target minutes later. Pollard and halfback partner Grant Williams tested the All Blacks with high balls, with mixed success.

Just before half time, Pollard kicked a 50/22 only for the Boks to concede a free kick at the lineout for taking too long with the throw-in.

REPORT: Wallabies snatch victory after hooter

A botched All Blacks lineout early in the second half provided the Boks with a golden opportunity to get back into the game but they were held up over the line.

McKenzie extended New Zealand’s lead with a penalty goal, before the Boks hit back in the 62nd minute. An exceptional scrum saw the All Blacks shoved off their own ball and Kwagga Smith – on for Kolisi – break away. Marx then went over from close range with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s conversion making it 17-10.

Malcolm Marx powers over 💪

South Africa move within seven with 18 minutes to play ⏱️

📺 Stream #TRC2025 on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/x1yPkIkLr8

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) September 6, 2025

But Smith was yellow-carded for a ruck offence close to the Bok tryline and after another period of attack, Quinn Tupaea scored under the posts for the All Blacks.

While down to 14 men, Cobus Reinach darted over for a Bok try that Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted to reduce the deficit to seven and set up a thrilling finish.

The Boks pushed hard for a match-levelling try but Test centurion Ardie Savea won a crucial breakdown penalty with a minute remaining, which was followed by an All Blacks turnover with time up.

The teams will meet again in Wellington next Saturday.