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Clinical New Zealand shock wasteful South Africa in first Test
New Zealand scored five tries and held South Africa to one after the Springboks finished with 13 players and squandered key chances, officials said.
On Saturday, the New Zealand All Blacks defeated the South African Springboks 33-16 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, securing a 1-0 lead in their four-test series.
The result ended the Springboks' 12-test winning streak and marked the All Blacks' first victory at Ellis Park since 2022, launching the first full series between the teams in 30 years.
New Zealand scored five tries to South Africa's one while dominating the second half; the hosts finished with 13 men after yellow cards in the 68th and 70th minutes.
Coach Rassie Erasmus faces injury concerns for key players Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe ahead of the second test scheduled for Cape Town next week.
The All Blacks' victory, powered by their "deep belief and ability to produce something from nothing," positions them as front-runners in the first full Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series in 30 years.