Greatest Springbok Upsets: 7 Unforgettable Wins

Since the introduction of the World Rugby ranking log, the Springboks have been in and out of the number one spot for 250 weeks. They have currently held this position for over a year now, which is no surprise since they have caused some of the greatest upsets in the world of rugby.  

The greatest Springbok upsets or unexpected victories have defied the odds and redefined the game. They’re characterised by their shock factor and dramatic nature. It was here that no one expected the Springboks to win. The odds were against them, but they managed to shock the rugby world with a phenomenal turnaround.  

These victories were close contests that showed why South Africa deserves to be number one. Here are the greatest Springbok upsets that shocked the rugby world.  

1. South Africa 36-34 New Zealand – 2018, Rugby Championship 

New Zealand came into this match as the favourites. They had won their last 11 out of 12 encounters with the Springboks and were on form the whole Rugby Championship. Not only this, but the year before the All Blacks had defeated South Africa 57-0. So, very few expected the Springboks to succeed.  

New Zealand led the match 12-0 within the first 15 minutes. But then momentum shifted, and the Springboks scored their first try of the night. The tries and successful conversions by Handre Pollard continued. The second half was a close one, with South Africa winning 36-34.  

This was the first time the Springboks had won in New Zealand in nine years. The match became a sneak peek into what South Africa would become under Rassie Erasmus.  

2. South Africa 19-16 Wales – 2019, Rugby World Cup Semi-Final 

Securing South Africa’s place in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, this semi-final match against Wales was a tough one. Wales entered this match as the favourites, as they were ranked number one after defeating England. Their form and defensive organisation were unmatched.  

The Springboks led 9-6 at half-time, but Wales were determined. Wales evened the score 16-16 with the final minutes remaining. But the Boks earned a penalty that was successfully converted by Handre Pollard. This winning kick secured them a place in the World Cup final and showed their ability to stay composed under immense pressure and within a close knockout match.  

3. South Africa 32-12 England – 2019, Rugby World Cup Final 

South Africa became three-time Rugby World Cup champions after their 2019 32-12 win over England. But this was unexpected as England entered this match on a high after defeating two-time defending champions New Zealand in the semi-final.  

South Africa, however, came in stronger, even as the underdogs. The Springboks dominated the physical battle around the scrum. With 10 minutes to go, the Springboks were winning 25-12. This was thanks to their brilliant defence and the foot of Handré Pollard. Not to mention the spectacular tries by Makazole Mapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe in the second half. These tries are still remembered as some of the greatest tries of the professional era.  

4. South Africa 35-7 New Zealand – 2023, Qatar Airways Cup 

The Springboks dominated the All Blacks 35-7, winning the Qatar Airways Cup in 2023. The Boks lead 14-0 in the first half with a try by Siya Kolisi in the 18th minute. But it was in the second half that South Africa showed its true colours. They added another 21 points to the board.  

With the ongoing rivalry between these two nations, the 28-point victory was the largest ever win over New Zealand. This match also sent a clear message to the All Blacks ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. It was one of the first times in the history of these two nations that the match was one-sided.  

5. South Africa 29-28 France – 2023, Rugby World Cup Quarter-Final 

The extremely close encounter between South Africa and France culminated in a one-point winning difference between these two nations. This was a game filled with high-scoring tries and dramatic moments.  

France led the match with an early try by Cyril Baille. As the match went on, the points difference between the Boks and France lessened and lessened until South Africa won the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final by one point. This was arguably the greatest Springbok upset of the year, as they were playing France in France.  

France was among the favourites to win the World Cup, but South Africa ended their hopes with a decisive penalty kick by Handre Pollard.  

6. South Africa 12-11 New Zealand – 2023, Rugby World Cup Final 

The 2023 Rugby World Cup final was not an upset in the traditional sense. The Springboks were the defending champions and had re-proven themselves win after win so far. But defeating the All Blacks on the world stage is an achievement. Defeating the All Blacks on the biggest world stage during a World Cup final is an achievement in its own category. 

This match was electric from the start. The All Blacks captain was sent off with a red card after an upright tackle on Jesse Kriel. Siya Kolisi was sent off with a yellow card five minutes into the second half. But the drama was far from over. With seven minutes to go, Jordie Barrett missed a penalty kick that would have won them the trophy. In the end, the Springboks scored four penalties, while New Zealand scored one try and two penalties.  

The Springboks won 12-11, becoming the first nation to win four Rugby World Cup titles.  

7. South Africa 43-10 New Zealand – 2025, Rugby Championship 

The rivalry between South Africa and New Zealand runs deep. So deep that every match reignites the tension. But no match sparked the rivalry quite like the Rugby Championship win the Springboks had over the All Blacks in 2025.  

The Springboks broke their previous record of a 33-point win over New Zealand in this match. Cheslin Kolbe scored a try in both halves, while Damian Willemse, Kwagga Smith, R.G. Snyman, and Andre Esterhuizen each scored a try.  

But New Zealand were leading 10-7 early on. South Africa was having none of this and demonstrated complete attacking quality, depth, and physicality in response. This resulted in this match becoming the biggest defeat in All Black Test history.  

So, What Makes a Great Springbok Upset? 

The Springboks are one of the strongest teams in the world. For them to lose a match or be the underdogs in a game has become unexpected. However, they weren’t always at the top of the log. So, an automatic win wasn’t always expected.  

What makes a great Springbok upset is when: 

• The match is being played away from home 

• It’s a major tournament 

• The way the victory happened is unexpected 

• The stakes are so high 

When the Springboks Shocked the Rugby World 

Over the past 10 years, the Springboks have produced some unbelievable upsets. From their dramatic 2019 win over England to their historic 43-10 beating of the All Blacks in 2025, there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind why they are considered one of the strongest rugby nations. While each upset is unique, they all have one thing in common: South Africa knows how to win under pressure.  

So, if you are to walk away with one question, it might be: Can the Springboks maintain their momentum this season? Bet on rugby now with bet.co.za.