Rugby’s rivalry moves to Baltimore, Maryland, as the Springboks hold a 2-1 series lead heading into the fourth Test. Both coaches insist the contest remains wide open despite physical tolls, squad overhauls, and the neutral-site setting.
Shifting the Greatest Rivalry to Baltimore
For its final act in the dramatic Greatest Rivalry rugby series between the Springboks and All Blacks, the location changes while the core motivations remain unchanged. Following three brutal matches in South Africa, the scene shifts to Baltimore, Maryland, where the various threads of a series that has captivated the rugby world will converge for a final Test.
South Africa leads the series 2-1 and can secure the series with a draw, while the All Blacks must win to level the score. The neutral venue in the United States offers a fresh atmosphere, potentially providing a less parochial and intimidating environment for the visitors than the colosseums of South Africa, where the All Blacks claimed the opening Test before South Africa rebounded to win the second and third matches.
All Blacks Forced into Major Squad Overhauls
While Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus kept his selections largely steady, selecting virtually the same side that won the third Test in Soweto—with Damian Willemse replacing the injured Cheslin Kolbe at fullback—the All Blacks face a personnel crisis following a punishing three-week tour.
Captain and number eight Ardie Savea suffered a dislocated shoulder and returned home, alongside fellow back-rower Luke Jacobson, who sustained an elbow tendon strain, and midfielder Quinn Tupaea, who picked up a knee injury. In their absence, hooker Codie Taylor takes over the captaincy in his 112th Test match, anchoring a completely overhauled front row that sees Ethan de Groot return at loosehead prop and Fletcher Newell replace Tyrel Lomax.
“We’ve lost a fair bit of experience with injury with Luke and Ardie out. When Ardie was captain, when he left the field, Luke took over. With both of them unavailable, we felt Codie coming back in, he’s an excellent player, but gives us a lot of experience and leadership, and that’s been really valuable throughout the week.”
Dave Rennie, All Blacks head coach
The Return of Richie Mo’unga and Experienced Reserves
In a bold selection move, head coach Dave Rennie recalled flyhalf Richie Mo’unga for his first Test appearance since the Rugby World Cup 2023 final in Paris, displacing Ruben Love. Rennie also fortified the bench with experience by naming utility backs Beauden Barrett and Rieko Ioane, a pair combining for 232 Test caps, though neither has played a competitive match in three weeks.
“We poured a whole lot of mental and physical energy into the Test in Soweto, come off second best and four hours later we’re sitting across an aisle on a chartered flight with the Boks straight to Baltimore.”
Jordie Barrett, All Blacks midfielder
Tactical Adjustments and the Pursuit of Lightning-Quick Ball
Scotland-born attack coach Mike Blair noted that the All Blacks identified specific tactical shortcomings from the previous encounter, emphasizing the need for what the coaching staff calls LQB, or lightning quick ball, to break down South Africa’s defense.
Despite dropping the third Test, the All Blacks recorded strong attacking metrics during their matches in South Africa, generating 13 tries across three games.
“Twelve line-breaks is a great stat for us. Four tries against South Africa isn’t a bad stat; 13 tries in three games. We are scoring tries, we are creating line breaks. We want to convert another couple of them but we’re aware you can’t convert every one. Our ability to turn pressure into points is important as well.”
Mike Blair, All Blacks attack coach
Historical Stakes and What Lies Ahead in Baltimore
For South Africa, the fixture offers a chance to secure a third consecutive win against their rivals for the first time since 2009. Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus stressed that the series was always designed as a four-game aggregate test of endurance rather than three isolated matches in South Africa.
“I know a lot of people said that this is the series here in South Africa, but it is not – we’ve played three games here, and we’re one up, but the final game is still to come. We can’t lose it anymore because there’s no points difference or tries scored as in a tiebreaker. But the trophy was actually designed in two halves to be shared if it’s a draw.”
Rassie Erasmus, Springbok head coach
As both squads prepare for the 80-minute finale on American soil, the outcome will test whether New Zealand’s overhauled lineup and returning veterans can overcome the world champions, or if South Africa can cement their dominance on neutral ground.
