All Blacks defeated in sensational comeback at Ellis Park

South Africa have defeated arch-rivals New Zealand 31-27 in a mesmerising test at Ellis Park today.

The All Blacks were preparing to take revenge over the four-time world champions following the events at the Stade de France last November. That evening, many months ago now, the Springboks left clear as the greatest World Cup-winning nation of all time.

For many at the time, the clash of the South Hemisphere titans was littered with mistakes amid a pressurised cauldron of unfiltered human electricity. So for a little over nine months, the rest of the world has balanced their opinions on what could have been, not what was.

Intercept by Jordie Barrett 🔥#RSAvNZL #AllBlacks pic.twitter.com/kRO9YOQsSw

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 31, 2024

After today, however, there can be little doubt that a team with all the pressure on their shoulders, should be granted the pure respect as the greatest team in the world after returning from the depths of despair, by scoring ten points in just as many minutes.

Despite the All Blacks’ consistent dominance of the scoreline for most of the match, the Springboks’ sheer calmness and belief in victory would eventually contribute towards the All Blacks’ demise. Capitalising on the visitor’s excessive penalty count, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu punished each mistake with his almost perfect kicking game.

My Player of the Match

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

Monumental shift 👊🏻 #Springboks #RSAvNZL pic.twitter.com/OrOfazCk9l

— Darren (@SaffasRugby) August 31, 2024

Although the All Blacks fought well, it was a well-deserved victory for the home side. A fantastic advertisement for the game.

Rassie was on fine form following the match too:

Give this sound guy a raise 🤣😍🇿🇦💚#RSAvNZL #Springboks pic.twitter.com/OgYilRv0MC

— Jonathan Boynton-Lee (@jon_boyntonlee) August 31, 2024