After a sluggish start to the series, the Springboks finally found their rhythm in the second and third Tests against the All Blacks, and head coach Rassie Erasmus is now urging his side to push the envelope even further in the decisive match on American soil. Trailing 1-0, South Africa aim to clinch the series 3-1 on Saturday at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium, home of the NFL’s Ravens. The All Blacks, meanwhile, are looking to level the series and restore the balance in the first traditional three‑Test series between the two nations in three decades.
The Springboks’ attacking numbers have risen dramatically: they managed a solitary try in the opening Test, which they lost, followed by three tries in the second Test – a victory – and an impressive four tries in the third Test, their most expansive display yet. Their traditional set‑piece dominance was a key factor – a penalty try awarded after a dominant scrum and a line‑out maul that forced New Zealand back onto its own line – but the raw power of the forwards was complemented by two well‑executed back‑line scores. "Damian de Allende was impressive on Saturday, Jesse Kriel was excellent, and Ethan Hooker performed well, so the group is clearly improving," Erasmus said on Monday during the squad announcement.
Erasmus believes the Springboks may have over‑emphasised defensive containment in the first Test, neglecting the chance to take more calculated risks when they controlled much of the play at Ellis Park during the opening hour. "At the end of the day you just need to outscore your opposition," he explained. "If that means they cross the try line four times and you kick five drop‑goals like Jannie de Beer did at the 1999 World Cup against England, the point is to finish with more points than them.
Containing New Zealand is a monumental task – just ask our Super Rugby franchises or even France." For the fourth Test, Erasmus has made two notable adjustments to the side that edged New Zealand 29-24 last weekend. Damian Willemse returns to full‑back, stepping in for the injured wing Cheslin Kolbe, while scrum‑half Morné van den Berg earns his first start of the series, pushing veteran Cobus Reinach onto the bench.
The forward pack remains unchanged. Erasmus’s willingness to tinker with his selections has been evident since the first defeat. Ahead of the second Test, the starting front‑row was announced as Ox Nché, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw, only for the trio to be relegated to the bench an hour before kickoff in favour of Gerhard Steenekamp, Deon Fourie and Thomas du Toit.
"We feel the team is settled and every player has delivered in his role over the past two matches, so keeping the same match‑day squad and restoring Damian to his regular position makes sense," Erasmus said. Kolbe suffered a broken jaw in a tackle and was forced out, while Willemse had a hamstring issue in the second Test. "It’s great to have Willemse back," Erasmus added. "He knows the teammates around him inside out, so it will simply be a matter of picking up where he left off." As for the No 9 jersey, Erasmus rewarded Van den Berg for the "fantastic impact" he made off the bench, handing him the starting role.
New Zealand’s headline news is the return of fly‑half Richie Mo'unga, who will make his first Test appearance since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final after a stint in Japanese club rugby. Meanwhile, winger Ruben Love has been omitted from the 23‑man squad.
The All Blacks have also been forced to reshuffle after a spate of injuries to key players: captain and No 8 Ardie Savea (shoulder), flanker Luke Jacobson (elbow) and centre Quinn Tupaea (knee) are all ruled out, and lock Fabian Holland is unavailable due to illness. Hooker Codie Taylor steps in as captain, while prop Fletcher Newell, lock Patrick Tuipulotu, back‑rower Ethan Blackadder and centre Anton Lienert‑Brown earn their first starts of the series.
Veterans Beauden Barrett and Rieko Ioane return to the bench. "We always anticipated a number of changes for this match. Every player here has worked incredibly hard over the past seven weeks to prepare for the seven games we’ve played so far, and all those selected for this Test fully deserve it," head coach Dave Rennie said. "We have everything to play for on Saturday.
It is our chance to draw the series and finish the tour with a performance we can be proud of." The Springboks will line up as follows: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt‑Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu, 9 Morné van den Berg; 1 Ox Nché, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Wilco Louw, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Ruan Nortjé, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Pieter‑Steph du Toit, 8 Jasper Wiese. Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 André Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok. New Zealand’s starting XV: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Anton Lienert‑Brown, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Cam Roigard; 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Codie Taylor (c), 3 Fletcher Newell, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 5 Sam Darry, 6 Tupou Vaa'i, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 8 Peter Lakai.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Rieko Ioane, 23 Beauden Barrett. All matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with UK and Ireland kick‑off times listed on the network’s schedule. The upcoming clash in Baltimore promises a thrilling conclusion to a series that has already delivered drama, tactical battles, and a showcase of the physical and creative strengths of both rugby powerhouses.