New Zealand lock Scott Barrett was sent off as the All Blacks suffered the heaviest defeat in their history, 35-7.
Barrett received two yellow cards, with the second for a reckless clearout to the head of hooker Malcolm Marx being referred to the TMO ‘bunker’.
South Africa went ahead through Siya Kolisi and Kurt-Lee Arendse scores, before second-half tries from Marx, Bongi Mbonambi and Kwagga Smith.
The All Blacks’ previous record loss was by 21 points in 1999 and 2019.
At a packed-out Twickenham, Barrett received his first yellow card after multiple team infringements as the All Blacks struggled to contain the relentless power game of the Springboks.
He returned from the sin-bin but just before half-time shoulder-charged into Marx, who was close to the ground at a breakdown, leaving referee Matthew Carley no decision but to send him off.
New Zealand have already lost experienced lock Brodie Retallick for the opening game of the World Cup against France on 8 September with an injury, as Barrett becomes the first All Black to be sent off twice.
Tyrel Lomax’s World Cup could also be at risk after the prop left the field early with a nasty knee injury.
The world champions made it back-to-back wins after their 52-16 demolition of Wales in Cardiff last weekend, as Jacques Nienaber’s side appear to be hitting their best form before their World Cup opener against Scotland on 10 September.
The win also ends New Zealand’s 11-match unbeaten run as South Africa’s power game - so successful during the 2019 World Cup - proved too much for their 14-man opponents.
“You couldn’t help but be impressed with what they did, they really got stuck into us,” said All Blacks coach Ian Foster.
“Their physicality and their set-piece was superb and they had a massive game at scrum and line-out time. That was a big difference”.(BBC sport)