The Springboks delivered a commanding second-half performance to defeat the All Blacks 43–28 in Baltimore, securing a 3–1 series victory in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
South Africa carried a narrow 17–14 lead into half-time at M&T Bank Stadium after tries from Damian de Allende and Morné van den Berg, while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu contributed from the kicking tee.
New Zealand remained firmly in contention after Codie Taylor and Will Jordan crossed the try line during the opening half.
The Springboks strengthened their position after the break through tries from Malcolm Marx and Pieter-Steph du Toit, although Ethan Blackadder’s response kept the All Blacks within touching distance.
Kurt-Lee Arendse then produced the decisive moment, capitalising on a New Zealand error before racing away to score. Cameron Hanekom added another try shortly afterwards to place the result beyond doubt.
Beauden Barrett scored a late consolation try for New Zealand, but it could not prevent South Africa from completing a third consecutive victory over their historic rivals.
The All Blacks won the opening Test 33–16 at Ellis Park before the Springboks responded with victories in Cape Town, Soweto and Baltimore to take the four-match series 3–1.
The final Test attracted 68,173 spectators, reportedly setting a new attendance record for a rugby union match in the United States. The victory also came during Rassie Erasmus’s 100th Test as Springbok head coach.
