Springboks hooker Malcom Marx scored the decisive try in the 2024 win over the All Blacks in Cape Town.
Image: AFP
Cape Town has played host to some of the most intense chapters in rugby’s greatest rivalry between the Springboks and the All Blacks.
From Newlands’ historic turf to the modern cauldron of DHL Stadium, matches in the shadow of Table Mountain are defined by razor-thin margins and unmatched crowd passion, with the All Blacks generally receiving a lot of support in the Mother City.
Whether it is series-defining triumphs or heart-wrenching one-point thrillers, these five classic Cape Town encounters capture the very best of this legendary rivalry.
1996 – Tri-Nations, Newlands (South Africa 18–29 New Zealand)
This match was not part of the All Blacks’ three-match tour of South Africa, but heralded in the start of a new competition between South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Driven by the brilliance of flyhalf Andrew Mehrtens, who scored 19 points with the boot, New Zealand clawed back from a nine-point deficit with 20 minutes to go to snatch victory.
2001 – Tri-Nations, Newlands (South Africa 3–12 New Zealand)
A muddy, brutal defensive tussle played in torrential rain at Newlands. In a match dominated by relentless collisions, handling errors and tactical kicking, the All Blacks managed to grind out a victory through four precise penalties from the boot of flyhalf Tony Brown, who now serves as the Springboks’ attack coach, edging out a resolute Springbok side.
2005 – Tri-Nations, Newlands (South Africa 22–16 New Zealand)
Jake White’s Springboks produced a defensive masterpiece to snap a long losing streak against the All Blacks in Cape Town. Powered by a dominant scrum, relentless tackling, and the boot of Percy Montgomery, South Africa held off a late New Zealand onslaught to claim a memorable victory.
2017 – Rugby Championship, Newlands (South Africa 24–25 New Zealand)
Widely regarded as one of the best Test matches between the two sides in Cape Town of the modern era. Just weeks after suffering a humiliating 57–0 loss in Albany, Allister Coetzee's Springboks produced an incredibly courageous performance at a packed Newlands, pushing the All Blacks to the absolute limit before falling just one point short.
2024 – Rugby Championship, DHL Stadium (South Africa 18–12 New Zealand)
In the first clash between the rivals at the venue, the Springboks ground out a gritty victory to secure the Freedom Cup for the first time since 2009. Second-half tries from Siya Kolisi and Malcolm Marx, combined with a fierce defensive effort, sealed a dramatic comeback and a back-to-back series sweep over the All Blacks.
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