On September 12, crowds gathered at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore to watch the fourth and final Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series between the Springboks and the All Blacks.
The Springboks defeated the All Blacks 43-28 after two consecutive wins in Cape Town and Johannesburg, helping to seal the series 3-1.
Here, Sport Just Sport’s David Awunyoh takes a look at five lessons learned from the final South Africa vs New Zealand game.
South Africa confirm status
The Springboks won the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, narrowly beating the All Blacks 12-11.
The win positioned them as the best rugby players in the world, so it’s no surprise that 68,173 fans gathered in Baltimore to watch the fourth Test.
The Springboks’ victory further solidifies their status as world champions and sets high expectations for what lies ahead at the 2027 World Cup in Australia – while potentially foreshadowing the 2031 World Cup in the United States.
Springbok momentum moves needle
The Springboks entered the fourth Test with a momentum-driven 2-1 lead after losing the series opener.
However, despite their victories in the second and third Tests, they remained determined to win the entire series.
Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus told SA Rugby reporters days before the fourth Test about the anticipated opposition in Baltimore: “We have faced the All Blacks three weeks in a row and, just like us, they are a proud team who showed last week that they will never stop fighting until the final whistle.
“So, we are under no illusions about the magnitude of the challenge ahead.
“That said, we are equally determined to finish the series strongly and give everything to lift the trophy, and the players are excited about the match.
“We have no doubt that it’s going to be another epic encounter that will require a full-blown 80-minute effort on attack and defence.”
The Springboks certainly stayed true to their commitment.
Second-half surge not enough
The Springboks led the first half 17-14, and they continued to dominate at the start of the second half by scoring five more points.
The All Blacks fought their way back in the second half, adding two converted tries in the 63rd and 80th minutes.
But despite the efforts made by the All Blacks in the remainder of the match, the Springboks held their ground to secure victory.
Arendse try the game-changer
In the 72nd minute, Kurt-Lee Arendse scored an essential try for the Springboks, leaving South African supporters elated.
Erasmus discussed the game’s turning point during his post-match press conference, saying according to RugbyPass: “I think Kurt-Lee. I think when Kurt-Lee started burning guys.
“Because Kurt-Lee himself admitted he was going through a bit of a mental dip and a physical dip and had concussions and stuff.
“I thought when he scored that try, I thought it was pivotal.
“I thought the game was totally anybody’s game.
“Sometimes a guy like Cheslin Kolbe could change it, and today the team did it. But I thought Kurt-Lee especially.”
Teams embrace mutual respect
Following the Springboks’ win, the two teams took a knee and united for a joint prayer.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi described to The Citizen reporters the significance of that special moment: “We just came together to thank each other for the series.
“We go against each other all the time, but we get along off the field. There’s no argument – we are good friends.
“The way they came to South Africa and embraced our country and gave themselves to people in the country, we were thanking each other for that.
“It is tough that one team has to win and another has to lose, but the respect we have for each other.
“We shared a prayer together. We knew we were going to see each other again, so that was a special moment.”
The teams’ respect for each other was also evident during their 19-hour flight together to Baltimore.
Erasmus explained the two sides’ relational dynamic: “The New Zealanders had their spot, and we had our spot.
“I saw Beauden Barrett and Siya having a cold drink together and taking photos. Codie Taylor was sitting just across me.
“The players and coaches don’t dislike each other. We’re just really competitive. So, it was all good vibes.”
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