South Africa made all the play but were trailing 10-7 after a tense first-half, but they found their mojo to score five tries without reply in the second period to secure a record 33-point winning margin at Sky Stadium, which was better than the 35-7 win over New Zealand in London before the Rugby World Cup in 2023.

The Springboks dominated the territory and possession initially, but they made too many handling errors to convert that pressure into points. The scrums were solid and defence resolute, and they played with great physical intent to keep the All Blacks under pressure.

The Bok lineout also operated with much more composure, while the battle of the breakdown was a much more positive affair for the South Africans compared to their struggles of last week in Auckland.

Cheslin Kolbe races away for his first try.

However, it was the All Blacks who led at halftime through a converted try by debutant Leroy Carter and a Damian McKenzie penalty goal, while Cheslin Kolbe replied with a converted try.

There were several agonising near misses for the Boks in a promising first half spell, with some misfortune leading to two disallowed tries. Replacement lock RG Snyman went over but his effort was cancelled out because of a Cobus Reinach knock-on. Then Kolbe lost the ball in contact when he was over the line, only to be foiled by a desperate All Black tackle.

Kolbe then gave the Boks the perfect second half start when he scored his second try of the game following a brilliant Bok scrum that had NZ in reverse, and a barnstorming run from skipper Siya Kolisi splitting the home defence.

Libbok sent the ball through the uprights to pull the Boks 14-10 ahead and the replacement pivot then succeeded with a long-range penalty goal to edge the Boks seven points ahead following an illegal tackle on Kolbe.

Celebration time in Wellington.

But from then on it was all South Africa as the Boks increased their lead when replacement loose forward Kwagga Smith took a Pieter-Steph du Toit inside pass from a pin-point cross kick to finish a brilliant Bok attack.

The Boks were always dangerous on attack, with Damian Willemse – who made his first Test start at inside centre – especially prominent, initiating several attacks to keep the Boks on the front foot. It was not surprise when a strong running Willemse forced his way over from a Bok lineout steal, to score his first try against the All Backs.

Barely a few minutes later the huge frame of Snyman found himself in space to run in South Africa’s fifth try, while Esterhuizen then put the cherry on top when he rounded off the Boks’ fifth try in the second stanza, and sixth overall, to power his way over the whitewash for an emphatic Bok win in Wellington.

Scorers:

New Zealand 10 (10) – Try: Leroy Carter. Conversion: Damian McKenzie. Penalty goal: McKenzie.

Springboks 43 (7) – Tries: Cheslin Kolbe (2), Damian Willemse, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Andre Esterhuizen. Conversions: Manie Libbok (5). Penalty goal: Libbok.