South Africa beat New Zealand 33-26 in Cape Town to hand All Blacks first loss of 2026

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Desperate South Africa gave New Zealand its first defeat of the year by 33-26 and evened their four-test series at 1-1 at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

The world champion Springboks were determined to respond after they were stunned in the first test in Johannesburg and they were over the whitewash in just the second minute. They scored all three of their tries in the first half to build a pressure-inducing 24-14 lead by halftime.

Returning skipper Siya Kolisi said they paid last week for not taking their chances: “This week we did, and we also brought the fire.”

Goalkicker Cheslin Kolbe converted the tries plus four penalties to keep his side in control on the scoreboard. Kolbe was named the player of the match. He has made all 11 of his shots at the posts in the series.

New Zealand scored more tries — four — but struggled against the rush defense, in the breakdowns and lineouts.

The scrum was the decisive battleground in the first test in Johannesburg and Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus tried to fix that by swapping his entire front rows at the last minute. Hooker Deon Fourie didn't have to wait to become the oldest Springbok test player a month before his 40th birthday.

But New Zealand's scrum generally held firm.

It was the lineouts where the All Blacks malfunctioned at critical moments. Three attacking throw-ins by the All Blacks were spoiled by Eben Etzebeth, who made one steal. South Africa's first two tries were platformed by lineout mauls.

“South Africa were good tonight, really physical. They stopped a lot of our momentum,” New Zealand coach Dave Rennie told broadcaster SuperSport. "We're confident we can bounce back."

The teams return to Johannesburg for the third test next Saturday at 87,000-seat Soccer City.

The All Blacks came into the match perfect under new coach Rennie after wins in four tests and four matches against South African franchises, but they were set back in Cape Town after just 102 seconds.

South Africa mauled a lineout for 15 meters into the New Zealand 22 and Fourie, Jasper Wiese and Kolisi crashed up and center Jesse Kriel crashed over beside the posts.

From a midfield lineout, quick hands by New Zealand released winger Will Jordan, who slipped tackles by Kriel and Damian de Allende and put scrumhalf Cam Roigard in.

An offside penalty was slotted by Kolbe, who also converted a try by de Allende that began from another 15-meter lineout maul, and South Africa led 17-7.

New Zealand skipper Ardie Savea broke off the back of a lineout that led to fullback Damian McKenzie angling untouched into the right corner and the gap was back to three again after 30 minutes.

Kolbe made up for a shanked line kick when he chased a Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu chip and forced a five-meter scrum in the 36th.

Erasmus immediately replaced Fourie and loosehead prop Gerhard Steenekamp with Malcolm Marx, the 2025 world player of the year, and Ox Nché, playing his 50th test. Quick pick-and-goes saw Kolisi bust through to help his side lead 24-14 into halftime.

After the break, New Zealand gave away penalties, including two turnovers by Marx, and Kolbe kicked South Africa 30-14 ahead with 30 minutes to go.

It took New Zealand nearly 20 minutes to reply when winger Leroy Carter darted in. Savea's 33rd test try and Love's extras gave New Zealand a sniff, boosted by a yellow card to South Africa lock Lood de Jager.

But in the final attack after the fulltime hooter, Jordan was overturned by South Africa's Cameron Hanekom.

See AP’s full rugby coverage here

South Africa's Eben Etzebeth, top right, wins a line out against New Zealand's Fabian Holland during a second Test rugby match between South Africa and New Zealand, in Cape Town, South Africa, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)

South Africa's Damian Willemse, center, is being tackled by New Zealand's Luke Jacobson, right, and his teammate George Bower during a second Test rugby match between South Africa and New Zealand, in Cape Town, South Africa, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)

South Africa's Jesse Kriel, left, scores a try as New Zealand's captain Ardie Savea tries to defend during a second Test rugby match between South Africa and New Zealand, in Cape Town, South Africa, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)

South Africa's captain Siya Kolisi celebrates with his teammate after scoring a try during a second Test rugby match between South Africa and New Zealand, in Cape Town, South Africa, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)

OSLO, Norway (AP) — King Haakon VIII of Norway used his first speech in his new role to eulogize his father, King Harald V, as a loving parent and dedicated monarch a day after he died at 89.

“We are in mourning. At the same time, it brings us comfort and strength to know that so many are mourning with us,” the king said wearing a black suit as his speech was shown live on public television.

After Harald V’s death on Friday morning, the crown prince became King Haakon VIII immediately.

He thanked the people for their outpouring of compassion and remembered what a loving father and husband Harald had been.

Tens of thousands of mourners paid their respects, placing flowers and condolence cards outside the royal palace in Oslo, where the coffin arrived late Friday from the hospital.

Across the country, churches and city halls opened specially so people could light candles, and write their thoughts about the deceased king in condolence books.

“It has been a powerful and moving experience to see the Palace Square filled with people, flowers, messages of condolence, and candles. Thank you so much,” 53-year-old Haakon said, sitting on a wooden desk next to his father's portrait and two white candles.

“As king, my father represented Norway and the Norwegian people with pride and joy, through visits around the country, at events here at the royal palace, and while working on Norway’s behalf around the world,” Haakon said.

“I’m going to miss him. I’ll miss his laughter. His good-natured way of dealing with people and situations,” he added, trying to hold back his tears as he vowed to give everything for the country in the future as its new king.

“And that means — in the ultimate sense — being willing to risk everything, even one’s life, for Norway’s freedom and independence.”

Haakon adopted the motto “All for Norway,” which dates back to his great-grandfather. His wife became Queen Mette-Marit, while his oldest child, Ingrid Alexandra, became crown princess and heir to the throne.

Earlier on Saturday, the new king and Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra welcomed Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and the presiding bishop of the Lutheran Church of Norway to the palace where King Harald's coffin was lying in state, the royal palace said in a statement.

On Sunday morning, the Church of Norway is holding memorial services across the country, with the royal family expected to attend the service at Asker Church, southwest of Oslo, the palace said.

Haakon is well acquainted with his royal obligations. As his father aged and his health declined in recent years, Haakon stepped in as regent on several occasions.

His tasks in the near future will include shoring up support for the monarchy following controversies over his wife’s past contacts with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his stepson’s rape conviction.

A date for the funeral has not been set, but the country is officially in a state of mourning and some people decided to postpone celebrations such as weddings and baptisms until after the mourning period has passed, Norwegian public broadcaster NRK reported.

Norway’s monarchy has old roots, tracing its origins to King Harald Fairhair in the ninth century. When Norway regained its independence from Sweden in 1905, three-quarters of voters in a national plebiscite approved restoring the monarchy.

Today, the role is largely symbolic as power lies with an elected parliament, but the royal family retains celebrity and a role in promoting the wealthy nation around the world.

Trondheim 20260829. Flowers, candles and greetings are placed at Nidaros Cathedral following the death of King Harald V on Friday in Trondheim, Norway, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (Jan Langhaug/NTB Scanpix via AP)

People place flowers and flags at a memorial for Norway’s King Harald V at Slottsplassen in Oslo, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (Hanna Johre /NTB Scanpix via AP)

Flowers and cards laid at the Blue Stone in Bergen for Norway’s King Harald V on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (Silje Katrine Robinson /NTB Scanpix via AP)

Presiding Bishop of the Church of Norway Olav Fykse Tveit lays flowers at the Palace Square to pay respects to Norway's King Harald V, a day after he died at 89, in Oslo, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (Amanda Pedersen Giske/NTB Scanpix via AP)

Norway's King Haakon at the palace in Oslo, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (Heiko Junge, Pool Photo via AP)

People line up waiting King Harald V's bier to pass at Queen's Park, in Oslo, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. The bier with King Harald will be driven in a cortege from the chapel at the National Hospital through Oslo and on to the Royal Palace. (Javad ParsaPool photo via AP)

King Harald V's bier in Oslo, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. The bier with King Harald will be driven in a cortege from the chapel at the National Hospital through Oslo and on to the Royal Palace. (Ole Berg-Rusten/Pool photo via AP)

The coffin of Norway's King Harald V is driven in a cortege from the chapel at the National Hospital through Oslo and on to the Palace, Oslo, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. (Javad Parsa/NTB via AP)

Mourners gather in the pouring rain to watch as King Harald V's remains arrive to the Royal Palace in Oslo, Norway, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. (Heiko Junge/NTB via AP)

Mourners gather in the pouring rain to watch as King Harald V's remains arrive to the Royal Palace in Oslo, Norway, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. (Heiko Junge/NTB via AP)