South Africa came from behind to edge New Zealand 29-24 in a ferocious third Test that moved them 2-1 ahead in the 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry' series with one game remaining.

The Springboks and All Blacks traded four tries apiece in a pulsating contest that was as brutal as it was captivating in front of a capacity crowd of 87,976 in Soweto. Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel and Malcolm Marx crossed for the Springboks, who were also awarded a penalty try, as they followed last week's narrow victory in Cape Town with another hard-fought triumph.

New Zealand captain Ardie Savea scored two first-half tries before suffering a game-ending shoulder injury, while record try-scorer Will Jordan and hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho crossed late on for the All Blacks.

The teams now travel to Baltimore, USA, for the final instalment of the four-Test series, live on Sky Sports, where nothing less than victory will do for the All Blacks if they are to salvage something.

"We're so proud of the win today," said South Africa captain Siya Kolisi. "It was a great game from the All Blacks. They pushed us to the limit, they came like a house on fire."

It was another classic clash of Springbok forward power against flowing All Blacks attack, with New Zealand flying out of the blocks before being overwhelmed by South Africa's second-half surge.