--- title: "All Blacks player ratings: Springboks 29-24 All Blacks" canonical: "https://readrugbyunion.com/2026/09/05/all-blacks-player-ratings-test-three-rgr/" type: "post" language: "en-GB" author: "Jonny Black" section: "Match Reviews" published: "2026-09-05T17:54:10Z" modified: "2026-09-05T20:29:45Z" --- # All Blacks player ratings: Springboks 29-24 All Blacks The All Blacks suffered a second defeat in a row as the Springboks took a 2-1 lead in the series with 29-24 victory in Johannesburg. Both teams scored four tries, with the scores sitting at 12-12 at halftime. The Springboks would take some dominance into the second-half. The Springboks pushed out to a 12-point lead, and a late All Blacks try was only enough to bring them back to a five-point deficit. Springboks player ratings [here](https://readrugbyunion.com/2026/09/05/springboks-player-ratings-rgr-test-three/). ## 1 George Bower- 5 Scrum was up against it and gave the All Blacks their second score from a penalty try. Made one carry but did make eight tackles. ## 2 Asafo Aumua- 8 A bruising carry off the back of a lineout move created the space for Ardie Savea to score the opening All Blacks try. The lineout was great throughout the first half, and he made an impact in open play. Made five tackles and was joint-third for the All Blacks on carries with nine. ## 3 Tyrel Lomax- 4 A difficult day at the scrum and got folded inwards for the penalty try by Ox Nche. Made 3 carries and five 5 tackles, but also gave away some penalties in open play. ## 4 Tupou Vaa’i- 6 Completed six of his seven tackles and made five carries on his 50th cap. Had the opportunity to claim a kick from Mannie Libbok, which would have put him through with no Springboks in the backfield. Couldn’t claim it and knocked the ball on. ## 5 Sam Darry- 6 Made all six of his tackles and helped his side with seven carries. The lineout operated well during the first half but were no major moments from the lock. ## 6 Peter Lakai- 7 Huge turnover in the third minute to stop the rampaging Springboks heading for the line. Was second for the All Blacks for tackles with 10. All Blacks needed a little more phsyciality to take on the Springboks in their maul and strong carries. ## 7 Luke Jacobson- 6 Massive carry out wide through Cheslin Kolbe led to the Springboks’ full-back going off early in the game. Had the massive job of taking the captaincy when Ardie Savea went of injured. Was a little slow the ruck at times and could be seen arriving when the Springboks were getting their hands into the ruck. ## 8 Ardie Savea- 8 Smart pick off a strong lineout move to finish the first All Blacks try and become the highest try-scoring forward in international test history. Took advantage of a bouncing ball out the side of the ruck to give the All Blacks their second score. Had to unfortunately come off with what looks like a serious shoulder injury. Was a brilliant performance for the time he was on. ## 9 Cam Roigard- 8 An outstanding number 9 who gave great ball for his backline to build from. His clever snipes kept the Springboks defence honest and bought his wide players some extra time. Led the way for kicks in the game, showing the tactical shift Rennie made to utilise Roigard in the game. ## 10 Ruben Love- 6 Conversion for the second try was way off the mark. Yellow-carded in the lead-up to halftime due to an offside on the goal line. Led to the penalty try from the scrum. Missed penalty on 52 minutes which would have put the All Blacks 15-12 ahead. One of his quieter performances in the All Blacks 10 jersey but still had some nice moments. ## 11 Leroy Carter- 6 Got beaten too easily by Daman De Allende for the opening Springboks try. Outstanding carry in the lead-up to the second All Blacks try. After the ruck, the ball popped out, and Ardie Savea scored. An incredible show of pace and an outstanding offload put Will Jordan through for the third All Blacks try. Got beaten one-on-one by Kriel to hand the Springboks an easy try. When he is great in attack, he is outstanding, but when he is weak in defence, he makes some poor mistakes. ## 12 Jordie Barrett- 8 Did all the dirty work needed for the All Blacks in this game. Led the way for tackles in the game with 17 and led for dominant tackles with three. Also carried 11 times, just one behind Jordan, who led for the game. Made 28 hard metres, typically running into the most solid part of the Springboks’ defence. ## 13- Quinn Tupaea- 5 Had to come off injured during the second half and missed two of his six tackles. Did make one important stop on Mannie Libbok just short of the line but had missed him in the build up. ## 14 Will Jordan- 7 Great kick through for Leroy Carter, he supported the man and got the offload to score another All Blacks try. A poor kick went dead from around the halfway line gave the Springboks a scrum back at the place it was kicked. They got a penalty and scored from the resulting maul. Led the way in metres gained and carries. Was 17 metres ahead of the next best on the field for metres carried. Keeps extending his All Blacks try record. ## 15 Damian McKenzie- 5 An uncharacteristic quiet performance from the fullback, who also had to shift into 10 when Love was off the pitch. Only made four carries and eight metres for those carries.