The Springboks secured the season crown in their final match on 12 September, defeating the defending series champion All Blacks 32–29 in Hamilton.

New Zealand, South Africa and Australia were ranked first, second, and third in the world respectively by the International Rugby Board (IRB) immediately before the start of the Tri Nations on 30 June 2009.

The Boks won the first test 28–19, a result that not only gave them the series lead but also put them ahead of the All Blacks for first place in the IRB World Rankings.

[4] Steyn's performance broke the previous mark of New Zealand's Andrew Mehrtens for individual points in a Tri Nations match.

Touch judges: Marius Jonker (South Africa) Cobus Wessels (South Africa) Television match official: Vinny Munro (New Zealand) Notes: Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales) Tim Hayes (Wales) Television match official: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa) Touch judges: Alain Rolland (Ireland) Tim Hayes (Wales) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa) Notes: Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales) Tim Hayes (Wales) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa) Touch judges: Craig Joubert (South Africa) Cobus Wessels (South Africa) Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia) Touch judges: Chris Pollock (New Zealand) Vinny Munro (New Zealand) Television match official: Keith Brown (New Zealand) Touch judges: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand) Vinny Munro (New Zealand) Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia) Touch judges: Wayne Barnes (England) Stuart Dickinson (Australia) Television match official: George Ayoub (New Zealand) Notes: Touch judges: Wayne Barnes (England) Cobus Wessels (South Africa) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa) Notes: