Jordan brace leads New Zealand to 33-16 win over South Africa at Ellis Park

New Zealand defeated South Africa 33-16 at Ellis Park in the First Test on 22 August 2026, with Will Jordan scoring two tries.

The All Blacks crossed for five tries to the Springboks’ one and secured their first win at Ellis Park since 2022. The fixture was presented as an appetiser to a series expected to live up to its billing, and pre-match talk centred on tempo: New Zealand wanted a faster game while South Africa sought to slow play.

The opening half was stop-start, with injuries and ill discipline bringing frequent intervention from referee Matt Carley. Cheslin Kolbe kicked South Africa into a 3-0 lead before Will Jordan finished in the right corner to give New Zealand the first try. Kurt-Lee Arendse left injured after 10 minutes and was replaced by André Esterhuizen, who powered through Josh Moorby to score and restore the Springboks’ lead.

Josh Moorby levelled for New Zealand when he gathered an offload from Tupou Vaa’i to finish their second try, but another Kolbe penalty put South Africa back in front on 26 minutes. South Africa then made three visits to the All Blacks’ 22 and wasted those opportunities, Malcolm Marx knocking on just short of the line after pressure that Jordie Barrett helped create.

The second half opened in a similar vein and Kolbe extended the Springboks’ lead with a penalty awarded for scrum dominance. At the restart the Springboks’ scrum-half was charged down by Fabian Holland and the Dutch-born New Zealand lock had the simplest of scores. South Africa responded with further scrum pressure but accuracy with the ball let them down.

Luke Jacobson went over from close range after territory created by a scything run down the middle from Damian McKenzie and Ruben Love’s conversion put New Zealand ten points clear. Replacements Marco van Staden and Cobus Reinach were sent to the sin-bin in quick succession for infringing near their own line. Three of New Zealand’s five tries came in the right-hand corner, targeting scrum-half Grant Williams, and Jordan’s second on the right completed the victory; it was New Zealand’s second win against South Africa in seven attempts.

The Springboks must respond in the second Test next Saturday but vast improvements will need to be made if they are to stand any chance.