The Springboks have underlined their status as the dominant force in world rugby, defeating New Zealand 43-28 in Baltimore, United States, to clinch the inaugural four-Test Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series 3-1.
South Africa produced a powerful display at M&T Bank Stadium, scoring six tries to four in front of more than 68,000 spectators as the All Blacks struggled to contain the world champions in the decisive stages.
The victory completed a remarkable turnaround for the Springboks, who lost the opening Test 33-16 in Johannesburg before responding with three successive victories to take the series.
New Zealand made the stronger start in Baltimore, with captain Codie Taylor scoring the opening try, but South Africa steadily imposed its physicality on the contest.
Damian de Allende, Morné van den Berg, Malcolm Marx, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cameron Hanekom all crossed the line for the Springboks.
The All Blacks fought back through Taylor, Will Jordan, Ethan Blackadder and Beauden Barrett, ensuring the match remained competitive deep into the second half. But South Africa’s power and composure ultimately proved decisive.
A narrow 17-14 lead at half-time gave the Springboks the platform they needed. Two quick tries after the interval extended their advantage before New Zealand mounted another comeback.
Arendse then produced one of the defining moments of the match with a spectacular individual try, before Hanekom added another score to finally put the result beyond doubt.
The victory gives the Springboks three consecutive wins over the All Blacks after their opening defeat and secures their first series triumph in the four-Test contest.
For coach Rassie Erasmus, however, the emphatic final scoreline did not tell the entire story. He admitted afterwards that he remained uncertain about the outcome until the closing stages, with New Zealand continuing to threaten.
The Baltimore encounter was also significant beyond the result. It took one of rugby’s oldest rivalries to American soil for the first time as part of a new four-year touring concept, with the final Test serving as a showcase for the sport ahead of the 2031 Rugby World Cup in the United States.
For Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, the occasion was about more than lifting another trophy.
He praised the support from the large American crowd and expressed hope that the match would help rugby establish a stronger following in the United States.
The Springboks leave Baltimore with the series trophy, a 3-1 scoreline and another significant statement of their strength.
New Zealand arrived in South Africa with hopes of dethroning the world champions. They leave the tour having been beaten three times, including on American soil, as the Springboks once again underline their place at the summit of world rugby.
