Wales upset All Blacks to keep Springboks in Nations Championship hunt

In a remarkable upset, the Welsh rugby team defeated the highly favored All Blacks with a score of 35-28 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday. The victory kept the Springboks hopeful of reaching the Nations Championship final in England, following their 21-19 loss to France earlier in the week. France's win over the All Blacks had put the latter in a strong position in the South section log, needing only to win their last two pool matches to secure their spot in the main game at Twickenham.

England was expected to help the Springboks, but Wales made an unexpected statement, marking their first win against New Zealand since 1953. This victory was only their fifth win in 19 matches after a 18-game losing streak since July last year. The Welsh team's defensive performance was exceptional, as they recorded over 300 tackles and held the All Blacks three times over the tryline in the second half.

The team scored five tries, three in the first half, and two at the beginning of the second half, holding the All Blacks to just one try over the second 40. Wales captain Dewi Lake emphasized the importance of trust and care within the team, stating that attacking the All Blacks was crucial. Despite the loss, the All Blacks still led the South section log with 22 points, thanks to bonus points from scoring four tries and finishing within seven points of Wales.

This leaves the Springboks needing a bonus point win over Ireland and hoping for a favor from England to reclaim the top position and enter the main game at Twickenham. All Blacks captain Beauden Barrett expressed disappointment, acknowledging Wales' strong performance and the need for his team to bounce back.