It was a performance to match the occasion when the 1937 Springboks inflicted what is commonly referred to as the worst loss suffered by the All Blacks, who were beaten 6-17 in a result that caused long ructions in the New Zealand game.
Siya Kolisi's men's 33-point defeat is the heaviest loss suffered by the All Blacks, and with their 36 unanswered second-half points, they outdid the 2023 7-35 pre-World Cup thumping in London.
What enhanced the effort was the loss of match personnel to injuries that did nothing to upset the rhythm of the visitors, who coped confidently, whereas the All Blacks were unable to take any advantage in a limp response.
Building on their traditional dominance in the air with their kicking game, the Springboks infused their performance with some outstanding running play marshalled in consistent style by second five-eighths Damian Willemse. He toyed with the All Blacks, putting kicks behind them with uncanny accuracy, and encouraging the talent alongside him to take their chances.
The pack was also outstanding, powering their scrum to advantage while No8 Jasper Wiese made an outstanding return to Test rugby in cahoots with flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit, and locks Ruan Nortje and replacement RG Snyman.
None of their tries was better demonstrated than Kwagga Smith's 68th minute try that began when debut South African wing Ethan Hooker ran a kick back with an unerring run that took him well into New Zealand's half and in the resulting play, the replacement first five-eighths Manie Libbok put a cross-kick in that found flanker Pieter Steph du Toit and while he was grounded, he got a pass to Smith who scored.
They weren't finished. Another high kick into New Zealand's 22 was taken by the Boks and in the resulting play, lock RG Snyman got the try he was denied earlier, and then to rub salt into the wounds, replacement back Andre Esterhuizen, took advantage of more work by Willemse, in combination with replacement Grant Williams, who played on the wing, to score the final try..
It was evident from the outset that a thrilling contest was in prospect. An action-packed first half saw continual movement from both sides. The All Blacks claimed a 10-7 halftime lead, thanks to an outstanding 17th-minute try to debut wing Leroy Carter, the culmination of rare All Blacks' time in the Springboks' half. It came from a team try, as the ball was worked left, then back to the right.
Lock Tupou Vaa'i featured twice, and gave the final pass to Carter, but earlier key contributions were made by flanker Simon Parker, prop Ethan de Groot and fullback Damian McKenzie.
The All Blacks went looking for a similar result in the 24th minute, but centre Billy Proctor's pass to Parker was intercepted by Bok wing Cheslin Kolbe, who was never troubled in a 65m run to the line. That was the start of New Zealand's agony.
South Africa started by utilising the flair in their youthful backline, but a continuation of mistakes that marred their first Test effort occurred again. Knock-ons, under pressure in tackles and at breakdowns, where halfback Cobus Reinach twice offended. South Africa also had an 11th-minute try to Snyman, which was ruled out as a result of a Reinach knock-on.
The All Blacks were able to maintain defensive pressure, forcing 16 turnovers to five on the visitors.
Injuries also saw five players leave the field. After South Africa's first five-eighths, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, one of three who failed HIA assessments, was replaced by Manie Libbok. Libbok was more inclined to kick high than maintain the running approach that had been employed.
That continued in the second half, with the All Blacks also looking to employ the tactic, but without the same effect.
But it was the Springboks who made an outstanding start to the half when their scrum power saw captain and flanker Siya Kolisi setting up ball, which saw Esterhuizen step in at halfback to fling a long ball that saw Kolbe take and score his second try.
Heading into the final quarter, the All Blacks lost a chance to create pressure at a lineout when No8 Wallace Sititi was penalised. South Africa moved the ball again with Willemse slipping a kick deep into the 22m. From the lineout, the All Blacks were out of position, and when the ball was moved, Willemse drove through three tackle attempts to score a deserved try.
Mistakes continued for the All Blacks when Jordan kicked long from his 22m, the ball rolling over the deadball line summed up their night. The memory of Auckland a week earlier seemed a long way distant.
Scorers: New Zealand 10 (Leroy Carter try; Damian McKenzie con, pen) South Africa 43 (Cheslin Kolbe 2, Damian Willemse, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Andre Esterhuizen tries; Manie Libbok 5 con, pen). HT: 10-7