As we gear up for the Eden Park showdown on September 6, let's take a walk down memory lane and revisit 10 epic Springbok victories over the All Blacks since they were welcomed back into international rugby.
The 1995 World Cup final in Johannesburg remains a golden moment in sports history, where the Springboks clinched a thrilling 15-12 victory. The iconic image of Nelson Mandela in Francois Pienaar's jersey and Joost van der Westhuizen’s legendary tackle on Jonah Lomu are unforgettable.
Fast forward to 1998 in Durban, the Boks staged an incredible comeback from 23-5 down to snatch a 24-23 win, paving their way to their first Tri-Nations title. Joost van der Westhuizen and Bobby Skinstad played pivotal roles, with James Dalton's last-gasp try causing absolute pandemonium at Kings Park.
In 2004, after a series of defeats, the Springboks found form, beating the All Blacks 40-26 in Johannesburg. Marius Joubert was the man of the match, scoring three tries and setting up another.
The 2008 clash in Dunedin saw the Boks break an 87-year losing streak with a nail-biting 30-28 victory, thanks to Ricky Januarie’s sensational solo try. "That was a moment of pure magic," recalled the scrumhalf.
Victory in Hamilton in 2009 saw the Springboks clinch the Tri-Nations with a 32-29 win after a tense battle. Jean de Villiers' intercept try was crucial in securing the win on foreign soil.
2014 in Johannesburg witnessed another nail-biter, with the Springboks edging the All Blacks 27-25. Pat Lambie’s 55m penalty in the final minute sealed the deal, raising the roof with euphoria.
The 2018 Wellington match was a thriller where the Boks emerged victorious 36-34, marking their first win in New Zealand since 2009. Aphiwe Dyantyi and Cheslin Kolbe's tries were instrumental, and Handre Pollard’s boot kept the scoreboard ticking.
Jumping to 2021, the Boks squeaked past the All Blacks 31-29 on the Gold Coast. Elton Jantjies turned hero with a penalty after the hooter, following a crucial turnover by Duane Vermeulen.
The largest margin victory came in 2023 in London, with the Boks thrashing the All Blacks 35-7. The 'Bomb Squad' strategy paid off, overwhelming the All Blacks who struggled with two sin-binnings and a red card.
Later in 2023, the Boks defended their World Cup title in Paris, winning 12-11 in a defensive showdown. Handre Pollard kicked all points for South Africa, and Pieter-Steph du Toit was a titan on defense with 27 tackles. Reflecting on the win, Pollard remarked,
"It was all about resilience, and we showed plenty of that today."
Each of these matches not only highlights the fierce rivalry between these two rugby powerhouses but also