South Africa Edges New Zealand in 18-12 Victory

South Africa rallied to defeat New Zealand 18-12 in their fourth Rugby Championship match edging closer to the title. The Springboks, trailing 9-3 at half-time took control after the break. Captain Siya Kolisi scored a pivotal try, converted by Handre Pollard giving South Africa the lead. Despite a missed penalty by New Zealand’s Damian McKenzie, the Springboks extended their advantage with Malcolm Marx’s try scored in the corner after Tyrel Lomax was sin-binned.

The All Blacks had held a narrow lead in the first half thanks to McKenzie’s accurate kicking but their performance faltered after the break. Kolisi’s try and Pollard’s replacement Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s long-range penalty put South Africa ahead. McKenzie’s missed penalty, directly in front of the posts, proved costly and the All Blacks could not recover.

South Africa’s victory also secured them the Freedom Cup, a trophy contested between the two nations since 2004. Kolisi expressed pride in the win, highlighting the significance of the Freedom Cup in a year marking 30 years since South Africa’s democracy.

New Zealand captain Scott Barrett acknowledged their missed opportunities, stating that failing to capitalize against a team like the Springboks leads to being punished. South Africa’s remaining fixtures include matches against Argentina one away and one at home as they seek to secure the Rugby Championship title.

Line-ups:
South Africa: Le Roux; Moodie, Kriel, De Allende, Kolbe; Pollard, Williams; Nche, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Nortje, Kolisi, Du Toit, Wiese.
Replacements: Marx, Steenekamp, Koch, Smith, Louw, Hendrikse, Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Am.

New Zealand: Jordan; Reece, Ioane, J. Barrett, Telea; McKenzie, Ratima; Williams, Taylor, Lomax, S. Barrett, Vaa’i, Sititi, Cane, Savea.
Replacements: Aumua, Tu’ungafasi, Newell, Darry, Jacobson, Perenara, Liernert-Brown, B. Barrett.

Referee: Matthew Carley (England)