South Africa and New Zealand collide in the third Test of a heated Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series that continues to deliver thrills and drama.
The Springboks levelled affairs at 1-1 with a strong win in Cape Town last week, hitting back against the All Blacks – on and off the field, as it happens, with Rassie Erasmus issuing a strong response to suggestions that his side had been scrummaging illegally. In the last encounter on South African soil, the world champions will look to secure a drawn series at least with another success at FNB Stadium in Soweto.
The All Blacks showed, though, their capacity for try-scoring even while below their best seven days ago. A backline full of threat remains intact, and will look to again trouble a South African defence that has shown more chinks than usual so far in this series.
Follow all of the latest from the third Test in Johannesburg with our live blog below:
We’re underway! South Africa 0-0 New Zealand
And we’re playing in Johannesburg. Ruben Love kicks off with his All Blacks moving from left to right as we watch.
Alan Smith5 September 2026 16:11
Tears and passion aplenty
We’ve been treated to rousing renditions of both anthems and there are no shortage of tears – in the stands and on the pitch.
Already the intensity levels are phenomenal.
Alan Smith5 September 2026 16:07
Here come the teams
Fears of thunderstorms have not become reality just yet. The teams are on their way out of the tunnel and we’re almost set for the haka.
Alan Smith5 September 2026 16:00
Third Test match officials
Nika Amashukeli had originally been slated for the second Test before falling ill, with Angus Gardner forced to step in. The Australian is on the touchline today with Amashukeli ready to take the whistle.
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Angus Gardner (Aus) & Christophe Ridley (Eng)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Brett Cronan (Aus)
Harry Latham-Coyle5 September 2026 15:55
Siya Kolisi and Springboks to channel Soweto history
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has talked up the significance to the Springboks facing New Zealand at the cavernous Soccer City in the sprawling Johannesburg township of Soweto, a place deeply rooted in the country’s history.
For both sides, to win the South Africa leg of the tour 2-1 would in many ways mean job done, whatever happens in Baltimore. Some 87,500 tickets have gone on sale at Soccer City for the clash in Soweto, an area synonymous with the struggle against apartheid and more of a traditional football hot-bed with the country’s two most supported clubs, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, like a religion for locals.
“So many things that happened in Soweto helped shape the South Africa we have today,” Kolisi said. “So many heroes have come from there and a lot of the football history of this country is from Soweto, so we know how special that is. We’re not going to act like it’s not a special ground in a significant area. All of that gives us more to play for. We are also thankful for the people who came from there and fought for people like me to be sitting here today.
“They fought for the freedom we have now and never got to experience it, and giving our best tomorrow is part of us saying thank you. Hopefully we can do that with a win and change the history between the two teams here.”
Harry Latham-Coyle5 September 2026 15:45
New Zealand vs South Africa
New Zealand haven’t looked to their attacking contestable game too often in this series, with South Africa generally on top in that area. That may change today in the absence of Damian Willemse – Cheslin Kolbe is superb in just about every facet but relatively untested as a full-back at this level. No doubt, he’ll take to it smoothly, but I’d expect the All Blacks to look to test his backfield coverage with varied kick styles and kickers, particularly given the presence of all of Ruben Love, Jordie Barrett and Damian McKenzie in the backline.
Harry Latham-Coyle5 September 2026 15:35
A steadier set-piece?
Those changes in the pack suggest that New Zealand know they must improve at the set-piece. Codie Taylor has long been regarded as an outstanding operator in that regard but hasn’t hit the marks with his darts in this series, and Asafo Aumua is starting to put together a rounded game to go with the freakish athleticism that first marked him out as a top talent. Obviously the scrum remains a key battle, too, but the lack of any lineout platform was more the factor that cost the All Blacks in the second Test.
Harry Latham-Coyle5 September 2026 15:25
New Zealand team news
Dave Rennie freshens up his forward pack after two tough Tests, with centurion Codie Taylor overlooked at hooker as Asafo Aumua starts. Sam Darry partners Tupou Vaa’i in the second row with Josh Lord not yet ready for consideration after his head injury, while Peter Lakai adds extra mobility on the blindside flank.
The backline is unchanged, with Ruben Love and Damian McKenzie again forming a playmaking partnership at 10 and 15.
New Zealand XV: 1 George Bower, 2 Asafo Aumua, 3 Tyrel Lomax; 4 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Sam Darry; 6 Peter Lakai, 7 Luke Jacobson, 8 Ardie Savea; 9 Cam Roigard, 10 Ruben Love; 11 Leroy Carter, 12 Jordie Barrett, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 14 Will Jordan; 15 Damian McKenzie.
Repacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Fabian Holland, 20 Wallace Sititi; 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Josh Moorby.
Harry Latham-Coyle5 September 2026 15:15
South Africa team news
Damian Willemse is ruled out for South Africa in a major injury blow, with Cheslin Kolbe relocating to full-back for just his second start at No 15 in his Test career. Kurt-Lee Arendse returns on the wing, while Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw are listed to start having been switched to the bench late on before the second Test last Saturday.
Five forwards and the hybrid Andre Esterhuizen lurk to provide power off the bench.
South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Wilco Louw; 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Ruan Nortje; 6 Siya Kolisi (capt.), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Cobus Reinach, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu; 11 Ethan Hooker, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse; 15 Cheslin Kolbe.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom; 22 Morne van den Berg, 23 Manie Libbok.
Harry Latham-Coyle5 September 2026 15:10
Airline cancels plans for repeat of South Africa vs New Zealand flyover stunt as investigation launched
A little bit of housekeeping – there’ll be no flyover ahead of kick off today, after the pilots last week in Cape Town rather scared the bejeezus out of everyone with their daring drop to just above the stadium roof.
South African airline cancels plans for repeat of flyover stunt after criticism
The stunt in Cape Town had attracted criticism over safety concernsHarry Latham-Coyle5 September 2026 15:00NewerOlder