South Africa vs New Zealand 3rd Test Predictions - Springboks backed for victory against All Blacks

Ralph Staniforth

Editor

Last updated: 04 Sep 2026

Ralph Staniforth 04 Sep 2026

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Series tied 1-1 heading into 3rd Test at FNB Stadium.
South Africa favored to win & cover -7.5 handicap.
Both teams announce minor changes, Springboks high on confidence.

Expired

South Africa to take series lead to Baltimore (Getty Images)

South Africa vs New Zealand 3rd Test Predictions

The series is beautifully poised at 1-1 heading into the third test at the FNB Stadium on Saturday. South Africa bounced back last week to level it after a disappointing opening display in Johannesburg.

South Africa vs New Zealand 3rd Test Predictions
Head to Head
South Africa Form
New Zealand Form
Springboks vs All Blacks Team News & Squads

The hosts are favourites to take a 2-1 lead to Baltimore, USA next week in the final match of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry. Given their dominance for large parts of the first test and again last weekend, it is difficult to go against the men in green.

South Africa have won 14 of their last 15 matches.
South Africa have won 6 of their last 8 matches against New Zealand.
New Zealand have won 7 of their last 8 matches.

Head to Head

New Zealand have the overall lead but South Africa have won six of their last eight against the All Blacks. At the FNB Stadium, New Zealand have won on both occasions, the last of which was 14 years ago.

South Africa Form

South Africa have been in superb form for the last 12 months, despite their series opener defeat to New Zealand. Last week, the Springboks bounced back in spectacular form, at least at the start, and dominated much of the match.

The All Blacks fought back late on once the hosts were down a man, but over 80 minutes, South Africa were hardly in trouble. That is a good sign for the Springboks who will want to take a 2-1 lead to the USA next weekend.

Given that South Africa dominated much of the first test as well but failed to take their chances, which eventually lead to a hefty defeat, means the confidence in the squad will be high.

New Zealand Form

The All Blacks certainly look a revitalised side under Dave Rennie. They are trying to play a fast-paced game, which has worked on occasions against a narrow Springbok defence, but they are struggling in key aspects.

Last weekend, while the scrum was messy, New Zealand held firm, mostly. But their lineout cracked at crucial times in the game, which gave South Africa plenty of ball to play with. The men in black will also need to be better under the high ball on Saturday, otherwise a long night awaits.

From a form perspective, New Zealand will be pleased. They won all four franchise games and the first test, they came up short last weekend, but with two to play, the series is wide open.

Springboks vs All Blacks Team News & Squads

South Africa have largely gone with the same squad that played last weekend. Cheslin Kolbe moves to fullback for the injured Damian Willemse while Kurt-Lee Arendse comes in on the wing.

South Africa: Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Ethan Hooker, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach, Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Ruan Nortje, Eben Etzebeth, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche.
Replacements: Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Andre Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Morne van den Berg, Manie Libbok.

New Zealand: Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan, Quinn Tupea, Jordie Barrett, Leroy Carter, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard, Ardie Savea (captain), Luke Jacobson, Peter Lakai, Sam Darry, Tupuo Vaa’i, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua, George Bower.
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Fabian Holland, Wallace Sititi, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown, Josh Moorby.

Verdict

South Africa v New Zealand 3rd Test

South Africa are backed to cover the -7.5 handicap at the FNB Stadium on Saturday and take a 2-1 lead into the final match of the series.

South Africa -7.5

Handicap

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Ralph Staniforth is a South African sports journalist, editor and betting writer who has worked in sports media since 2012.

With a background in Sports Science, he has covered a wide range of sports and interviewed leading players and coaches across South African rugby, cricket and football.

His sports betting work covers both South African and international markets, combining his knowledge of sport with extensive experience analysing fixtures, teams, form and betting markets.

Ralph specialises in football and rugby, while also covering cricket, tennis and golf. His work includes match previews, betting tips, betting guides and broader analysis of the sports betting industry.

You can find more from Ralph at Muckrack and LinkedIn.