Grant Williams' Late Try Seals South Africa Victory

Grant Williams’ late try capped a remarkable comeback as South Africa defeated New Zealand 32-27 in the third week of the Rugby Championship. The Springboks were trailing at halftime and found themselves 27-17 down in the second half but a 69th-minute yellow card for All Blacks prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi shifted momentum allowing the hosts to snatch victory.

New Zealand outscored South Africa with four tries to three, but the boot of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu proved decisive. The Springboks’ fly-half contributed 16 points converting two of their tries and landing four penalties in a high-stakes match that echoed last year’s World Cup final. New Zealand led 12-11 at halftime with tries from Codie Taylor and Caleb Clarke.

Bongi Mbonambi scored South Africa’s only try before the break. New Zealand extended their lead in the second half with Jordie Barrett’s try and Clarke’s second of the game, putting them 10 points clear. However, the Springboks rallied. Kwagga Smith powered over under the posts and Feinberg-Mngomezulu added the extras to bring South Africa within striking distance.

Grant Williams, coming off the bench then sealed the dramatic win with a late try. Reflecting on the victory, South Africa captain Siya Kolisi emphasized the importance of staying composed. “We didn’t want to be in a position where we were trailing late, but the key was not panicking. We stuck to our plan and it paid off.”

All Blacks captain Scott Barrett acknowledged the strength of their opponents, stating, “The Springboks showed their class, and we weren’t quite good enough. It was a huge effort, and I’m proud of the boys, but it wasn’t enough.” The win keeps South Africa in contention in the Rugby Championship and showcases their resilience under pressure.