New Zealand 10-7 South Africa, 36 minutes
Sharp thinking from Beauden Barrett! South Africa are penalised at a ruck and Barrett punts quickly, recognising that both Ethan Hooker and Aphelele Fassi are down in need of treatment and thus not covering the backfield. The All Blacks will throw a lineout five metres out.
Samisoni Taukei’aho misses his man! Oh dear. South Africa were in bits and pieces but Taukei’ahjo’s throw tumbles down at the tail, allowing Manie Libbok to collect.
Harry Latham-Coyle13 September 2025 08:46
New Zealand 10-7 South Africa, 34 minutes
Manie Libbok isn’t necessarily regarded as a kicking 10 but he has added a pragmatic edge to this Springboks performance, South Africa starting to get some joy through their contestables as the high hoists go up. A crossfield version is misjudged, though, Cheslin Kolbe only able to watch it come down a metre or so beyond the right touchline.
Harry Latham-Coyle13 September 2025 08:43
New Zealand 10-7 South Africa, 33 minutes
More injury woe for South Africa. Cobus Reinach is being removed for a head injury assessment, Grant Williams potentially the third half-back of the match off the bench with Finlay Christie and Manie Libbok already brought on. Reinach will hope to pass the HIA and return.
Harry Latham-Coyle13 September 2025 08:42
New Zealand 10-7 South Africa, 30 minutes
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has failed his head injury assessment; Manie Libbok will be with us for the duration.
Libbok starts to get the Springboks moving again, Ethan Hooker showcasing his strength with a burly carry to bump off Damian McKenzie, Cobus Reinach threatens around the fringes and then flicks off the floor to Ox Nche, but Malcolm Marx’s collection of the resultant offload from the prop is disrupted by a well-timed tackle from Wallace Sititi.
Phew. A chance to draw breath.
Harry Latham-Coyle13 September 2025 08:40
PENALTY! NEW ZEALAND 10-7 South Africa (Damian McKenzie, 29 minutes)
Straight and true from Damian McKenzie to nudge New Zealand back in front.

Harry Latham-Coyle13 September 2025 08:38
New Zealand 7-7 South Africa, 27 minutes
We’ve only had two tries so far but the level in this first half-hour has been outstanding. This is the best the All Blacks’ attack has looked for a while, but it is having to be against a Springboks defence trying to throw haymakers. A Damian McKenzie grubber is fumbled into touch by Manie Libbok, desperate to avoid a 50:22 having misjudged the bounce – it’ll be New Zealand’s throw anyway after his mishandle.
The Springboks fail to roll away from a ruck. What’s Scott Barrett’s decision? Unlike Siya Kolisi earlier, he’ll take the points.
Harry Latham-Coyle13 September 2025 08:37
TRY! New Zealand 7-7 SOUTH AFRICA (Cheslin Kolbe, 25 minutes)
Plucked out of the Wellington night! An intercept score from Cheslin Kolbe just when they needed it!
Oh, wow! That’s a two-try swing, Kolbe completely kippering himself defensively if he doesn’t get hands to Billy Proctor’s pass with a two-man overlap beyond intended recipient Simon Parker. But Kolbe’s hands are as sharp as his thought, snaring the pass and accelerating away from those chasing in vain. South Africa level with Manie Libbok’s conversion.
Harry Latham-Coyle13 September 2025 08:35
New Zealand 7-0 South Africa, 24 minutes
The All Blacks test the Springboks blitz – unsuccessfully! Beauden Barrett takes a thumping and Leroy Carter is clattered, too. Cheslin Kolbe’s hit on Carter is deemed high, though, affording New Zealand a penalty that they punt into the South Africa half.
Harry Latham-Coyle13 September 2025 08:32
New Zealand 7-0 South Africa, 22 minutes
Not for the first time tonight, Cobus Reinach fumbles at the base of a ruck – ooh, was that a sly All Blacks hand on the ball? That’s a classic Richie McCaw move from one of the Barrett brothers, that goes unspotted by the officials.
Harry Latham-Coyle13 September 2025 08:31
New Zealand 7-0 South Africa, 20 minutes
More rough injury news for South Africa – Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has departed for a head injury assessment after being bowled over by Simon Parker in the run-up to that try, with Manie Libbok on for the next little while at least.
All Blacks scrum half Noah Hotham has failed his own HIA, by the way, though may have been done with an ankle issue anyway; regardless, Finlay Christie is with us for the remainder.

Harry Latham-Coyle13 September 2025 08:30