Rennie provides injury updates on Savea and Tupaea after Springboks seal series in Soweto

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has addressed the fitness of Ardie Savea and Quinn Tupaea after both players were forced off with injuries during New Zealand’s 29-24 loss to South Africa at FNB Stadium in Soweto, a defeat that gave the Springboks a 2-1 victory in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.

The third Test drew 85,000 fans to Africa’s biggest stadium, and the occasion lived up to its billing — at least for the first half. The All Blacks were competitive through the opening period, but the second half told a different story. New Zealand grew inaccurate and South Africa capitalised, swarming the visitors to overturn the contest and secure the series.

The injuries to Savea and Tupaea added to the All Blacks’ misery on the day. Both are key figures in New Zealand’s squad, and Rennie’s post-match briefing was closely watched for any indication of the severity of their respective setbacks. The source material does not detail the specific nature of either injury or the expected recovery timelines beyond Rennie’s update, which was delivered in the aftermath of the defeat.

The result extends South Africa’s recent dominance in the fixture and will sharpen the All Blacks’ focus ahead of their next assignment. For Rennie, managing the fitness of his squad — particularly two players of Savea and Tupaea’s calibre — will be a pressing concern in the days that follow.

The match was played at FNB Stadium, the same venue that hosted the first-ever Test between the Black Ferns and Springbok Women on the same day, with New Zealand’s women winning 52-20.