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.
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, while a 17-0 victory in Durban in 1928 also sits in the top five of all time.
Here are the five biggest test defeats suffered by the All Blacks in history:
South Africa 43-10 New Zealand (Wellington, September 13, 2025)
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 (London, August 25, 2023)
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 (Perth, August 10, 2019)
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 (Durban, June 30, 1928)
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 (London, December 1, 2012)
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 Tuilagiensured England’s victory.
