New Zealand secured a commanding victory over South Africa in a thrilling start to their series, triumphing with a score of 30-13 at Ellis Park on October 7, 2023. This win marks New Zealand's first at this venue since 2022, showcasing their resilience against South Africa’s formidable scrum pressure.

The match saw New Zealand outscore their opponents with five tries to one, a remarkable feat considering South Africa's status as the world’s leading side. The Springboks faced a disintegration in their performance, with two players sent to the sin-bin, highlighting their inaccuracies with ball handling.

Key highlights include:

• Will Jordan continued his impressive scoring streak, netting two tries, both in the right-hand corner, exploiting South Africa's scrum-half Grant Williams.
• Cheslin Kolbe initially put South Africa ahead with a penalty, but New Zealand quickly retaliated with tries from Josh Moorby and Luke Jacobson.
• South Africa struggled to convert opportunities, with Malcolm Marx notably knocking on just short of the line.
• The match featured a stop-start first half marred by injuries and penalties, yet New Zealand maintained composure and took their chances effectively.

As the game progressed, South Africa's attempts to regain control faltered, culminating in Jordan's second try sealing a deserved victory for New Zealand. With the second Test approaching next Saturday, South Africa faces a critical moment to address their performance issues if they hope to bounce back.