Rugby-New Zealand's five biggest test defeats of all time

RUGBY-UNION-CHAMPIONSHIP-NZL-ZAF/ (FACTBOX):FACTBOX-Rugby-New Zealand's five biggest test defeats of all time

Published on: Sep 13, 2025, 16:26:26 IST

Reuters

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Sept 13 - The New Zealand rugby union team suffered their biggest loss ever in a test match on Saturday, with South Africa securing a 43-10 victory over the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship in Wellington.

Rugby-New Zealand's five biggest test defeats of all time

The Springboks' 33-point win broke their own record of beating New Zealand by 28 points in a warm-up fixture in Twickenham ahead of the 2023 World Cup.

Here are the five biggest test defeats suffered by the All Blacks in history:

SOUTH AFRICA 43-10 NEW ZEALAND

Margin: 33 points

Cheslin Kolbe scored a brace of tries as South Africa ran riot in the second half. The Springboks trailed 10-0 after an early try to debutant Leroy Carter but scored 36 unanswered points in an extraordinary onslaught.

SOUTH AFRICA 35-7 NEW ZEALAND

Margin: 28 points

South Africa put in a masterclass of forward power to thrash New Zealand. They scored five tries through captain Siya Kolisi, wing Kurt-Lee Arendse, hookers Malcolm Marx and Bongi Mbonambi and flanker Kwagga Smith.

AUSTRALIA 47-26 NEW ZEALAND

Margin: 21 points

New Zealand forward Scott Barrett was sent off for a reckless tackle just before halftime, and Australia's Reece Hodge scored a brace of tries in the Wallabies' biggest win over the All Blacks.

SOUTH AFRICA 17-0 NEW ZEALAND

Margin: 17 points

An inexperienced All Blacks side, with all but two players making their full test debuts, suffered a 17-point loss in their first test of the 1928 tour of South Africa. The loss in Durban stood as New Zealand's worst defeat for decades.

ENGLAND 38-21 NEW ZEALAND

Martin: 17 points

England ended the world champions' 20-game unbeaten run as Owen Farrell's heroics put the hosts 15-0 ahead. New Zealand fought back through Julian Savea and Kieran Read, but tries by Brad Barritt, Chris Ashton and Manu Tuilagi ensured England's victory.

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