The All Blacks have stepped up to the plate, dishing a dramatic 24-17 blow to the Spring Boks at Auckland's Eden Park.
There was actually much more on the line than one might have thought, with the game being Ardie Savea's 100th test, the Eden Park win streak, and of course the Rugby Championship standings.
Saturday's performance not only made headlines around the country, but globally, re-enforcing New Zealand's standings at the top of the table.
So here's how the world media reacted to the All Blacks' drubbing of the Boks.
'Pace and ferocity'
A performance of "grit" and "discipline" is how The Guardian described New Zealand's "bounceback" performance on Saturday.
The British newspaper went into game details, saying the All Blacks kicked it off with "pace" and "ferocity".
Describing Beauden Barrett as a "playmaker", it was clear the AB's game plays impressed.
The Springboks on the other hand were said to have "wasted their own chances" through skill and set-piece errors.
Still the article recognised the Springboks ability to raise the tension, though it was not enough to take the win.
'Gutsy' win
British broadcaster BCC also labelled the ABs win as a bounceback, after the loss to Argentina.
Quoting Ardie Savea, the headline read: "All Blacks earn 'gutsy' win against South Africa".
It also noted the "remarkable" 31-year win streak that was extended at Eden Park.
'Steely' finish
Australia's ABC News also honed in on the 51-match-win-record, while breaking down the onfield performance of both South Africa and New Zealand.
The broadcaster said the All Blacks "clinically" scored tries, in contrast to South Africa, who were "often ineffective" with the ball in hand.
However, the article also noted the AB's struggle to secure earlier wins, most recently against Argentina.
"The All Blacks have been brittle in these tight finishes in the recent past but on Saturday they were steely," it said.
'Error-prone' South Africa
"Rugged arm-wrestle" is how French-based outlet AFP described the ABs' win.
The outlet touched on the slippery conditions that posed a challenge to both of the world's top-ranked sides.
It also hailed back-rower Savea, particularly for his turnover in the final few heated minutes, while South African copped criticism, being described in the article as "error-prone".
Springboks 'own worst enemies'
South African news website News24 slammed the Springboks, saying they "were their own worst enemies".
Lineout mistakes, handling problems and obstruction woes were among the errors listed in a flood of articles on the outlet's rugby homepage.
One News24 article hones in on Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus, who it said was shrugging off the Springboks lineout breakdowns.
"Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus refused to individualise the lineout woes that afflicted the Boks in Auckland," it read.
Scene set for Saturday
No matter what media outlet wrote the post-match article, the All Blacks and Ardie Savea clearly impressed the world.
On the other hand, the Springboks performance attracted much criticism, particularly from their own media.
Other headlines covered Argentina's defeat, with Australia taking the win through a try six minutes after the final siren. The final score was 28-24.
Los Pumas will once again face the Wallabies in Sydney, while the All Blacks will battle the Springboks in Wellington, both on Saturday.
By Jessie Curran of rnz.co.nz
SHARE ME