In Soweto on Sunday, the ancient contest between southern hemisphere giants tilted once more toward South Africa, as the Springboks defeated the All Blacks 29-24 in a match that revealed how quickly fortune and fitness can reshape a series. New Zealand's captain Ardie Savea, the heartbeat of his team's ambition, left the field injured before halftime, and with him went much of the cohesion that had made the All Blacks competitive. The series now belongs to South Africa to lose, and New Zealand must travel to Baltimore carrying both the weight of defeat and the absence of their leader.
Savea's shoulder injury compounds All Blacks' series-threatening loss to Springboks
All Blacks captain Ardie Savea suffered a shoulder injury that will sideline him from upcoming matches.