Springboks extend longest winning streak over the All Blacks in the pro era
Rassie Erasmus’ men have extended their longest winning streak over the All Blacks in the professional era to four matches following their 18-12 victory in Cape Town.
South Africa’s streak began in 2023 before the Rugby World Cup when they secured their biggest-ever win over their fiercest rivals, claiming a 35-7 victory at Twickenham Stadium in London.
Springboks streak over the All Blacks
Siya Kolisi and Malcolm Marx both crossed for tries in the 18-12 victory at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday as the Springboks edged closer to claiming the Rugby Championship title.
Marx’s match-winning try saw him grab his 25th score for his country and fifth against the All Blacks as he became the first Springboks forward to score 100 points for the side.
That victory extended their current streak over the All Blacks to four consecutive wins, including the 11-12 victory in the Rugby World Cup Final last year and the 31-27 win last week.
The only time South Africa have won more games consecutively over the All Blacks was back a sequence of six wins between 1937 and 1949.
The clash at Ellis Park last week also saw South Africa become the first team to concede four or more tries against the All Blacks and still emerge victorious since Australia did so back in 2019.
It also notched up a hat-trick of victories over the All Blacks, the first time this has been achieved by either team since New Zealand did so in 2016/17.
Erasmus’ men have now also won five of their last ten Rugby Championship encounters against their old rivals with one draw (16-16 in 2019).
Saturday’s win over sees South Africa clinch the Freedom Cup for the first time in 15 years with Peter de Villier’s Springboks last winning the trophy all the way back in 2009.
Springboks claim epic double over All Blacks ending 15-year wait for Freedom Cup glory
Springboks winning streak
2024: South Africa won 18-12 in Cape Town
2024: South Africa won 31-27 in Johannesburg
2023: South Africa won 12-11 in Saint-Denis
2023: South Africa won 35-7 in London