The Springboks will be hoping to break their hoodoo against the All Blacks at FNB Stadium following two defeats against their greatest rivals at the iconic 2010 FIFA World Cup venue.
The 2010 and 2012 Tests against the All Blacks are the only rugby internationals to have been played at the 94 000-seater stadium. The Springboks lost both of those matches under Peter de Villiers and Heyneke Meyer respectively.
This weekend, the Boks and All Blacks return to Soweto on Saturday for the third Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, with South Africa aiming to take a 2–1 series lead ahead of next week’s finale in Baltimore in the United States.
Here, is a look back at the two previous iconic encounters between the Springboks and All Blacks at FNB Stadium.
2010 | Tri-Nations: South Africa 22, New Zealand 29
A match etched in memory for both triumph and heartbreak. Playing in front of a staggering 94,713 fans — still a record for a rugby match in the professional era in South Africa — the encounter marked former Springbok captain John Smit’s 100th international appearance in green and gold. Powered by 17 points from the boot of Morné Steyn, the hosts led 22–14 with 15 minutes to play.
However, an exhausted Bok side could not hold off a late Kiwi surge. Richie McCaw crossed in the corner for a controversial try to equalise, despite replays suggesting he was in touch and a missed forward pass in the build-up.
The killer blow came moments later when Ma'a Nonu scythed through the midfield — with Smit ironically missing the crucial tackle — before setting up Israel Dagg for the winning try to seal a dramatic late comeback.
2012 | Rugby Championship: South Africa 16, New Zealand 32
Two years later, Heyneke Meyer’s Springboks returned to Soweto looking for redemption, captained by Jean de Villiers in front of 80,753 supporters.
The Boks started brightly when Bryan Habana crossed the whitewash in the 12th minute, but the day belonged entirely to the visitors.
The All Blacks systematically dismantled the hosts, crossing for four tries through Sam Whitelock, Aaron Smith, Nonu, and Conrad Smith.
Dan Carter added 12 points with the boot, including a second-half drop goal, as New Zealand comfortably put the result beyond doubt and extended their formidable Highveld record against the Boks.