After a tentative start to the three‑match series, the Springboks finally found their rhythm in the second and third Tests against the All Blacks, and head coach Rassie Erasmus is urging his side to push even further in the decisive encounter on American soil. South Africa entered the final game trailing 1‑0, but they have already demonstrated a capacity for explosive attacking rugby, scoring a solitary try in the opening Test, three in the second, and an impressive four in the third, where their play was at its most expansive. Erasmus believes that the momentum they have built should be translated into a more daring approach as they prepare to face New Zealand at the stadium that hosts the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. The fourth Test, scheduled for Saturday, offers the Springboks a chance to overturn the series deficit and claim a 3‑1 victory.
For the All Blacks, the match represents an opportunity to level the series and, for the first time in three decades, settle a traditional bilateral contest on equal terms. Both coaches have been vocal about the importance of taking the initiative, but Erasmus has placed particular emphasis on the need to gamble more when the game is in their favour.
“After the first Test we were perhaps too focused on nullifying the opposition rather than exploiting the space we had,” Erasmus explained at the team announcement on Monday. “We controlled the first hour at Ellis Park, yet we didn’t press our advantage.
In rugby you simply have to outscore the opponent. If that means they cross the line four times and you slot five drop‑goals, as Jannie de Beer did at the 1999 World Cup against England, that’s still a win. The key is to put more points on the board than they do.” Erasmus also highlighted the role of the forwards in the Springboks’ recent resurgence. Their classic set‑piece dominance produced a penalty try from a dominant scrum and a line‑out maul that forced New Zealand back to its own posts.
However, the backline complemented that power with two well‑executed tries, underscoring a balanced attack that could be even more potent if the team embraces a higher‑risk strategy. In terms of personnel, Erasmus has made two notable adjustments for the Baltimore clash. Veteran full‑back Damian Willemse returns to replace the injured Cheslin Kolbe, while scrum‑half Morné van den Berg earns his first start of the series, taking the bench spot from Cobus Reinach. The forward pack remains unchanged, reflecting Erasmus’s confidence in the unit that has delivered consistent performances throughout the tour.
The coach’s selection policy has been fluid since the opening loss. Prior to the second Test, the starting front row—Ox Nché, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw—was swapped out an hour before kickoff for Gerhard Steenekamp, Deon Fourie and Thomas du Toit, with the original trio relegated to the bench.
Erasmus defended the approach, noting that the squad feels settled and that maintaining continuity will allow the players to build on the momentum they have generated. Injury concerns also shaped the lineup.
Kolbe suffered a broken jaw while tackling, and Willemse himself dealt with a hamstring issue in the second Test, making his return a welcome boost. Erasmus praised Willemse’s familiarity with the team’s patterns, stating, “He knows the guys inside out, so it will simply be a matter of him picking up where he left off.” The No 9 jersey has been handed to Van den Berg as a reward for the “fantastic impact” he made off the bench in earlier matches, signalling Erasmus’s willingness to reward form over seniority. Across the Tasman, New Zealand’s head coach Dave Rennie has announced his own set of changes.
Fly‑half Richie Mo’unga is back in the squad, making his first Test appearance since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final after a stint in Japanese club rugby. He will replace Ruben Love, who has been omitted from the match‑day 23. The All Blacks also face a spate of injuries: captain and No 8 Ardie Savea (shoulder), flanker Luke Jacobson (elbow) and centre Quinn Tupaea (knee) are all ruled out, while lock Fabian Holland is unavailable due to illness. In response, Codie Taylor steps in as captain, with prop Fletcher Newell, lock Patrick Tuipulotu, back‑rower Ethan Blackadder and centre Anton Lienert‑Brown each earning their first starts of the series.
Veteran backs Beauden Barrett and Rieko Ioane return to the bench, providing depth and experience. Rennie emphasized that the squad had anticipated several alterations throughout the tour. “Every player here has worked incredibly hard over the last seven weeks to prepare for the seven games we’ve played so far, and all those selected for this Test fully deserve it,” he said. “We have everything to play for on Saturday.
It is our chance to draw the series and end the tour with a performance to be proud of.” The line‑ups for the final Test are as follows: South Africa: 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: 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 are broadcast live on Sky Sports, with kick‑off times listed for the UK and Ireland. The upcoming showdown in Baltimore promises a thrilling climax to a series that has already delivered high‑scoring drama, tactical battles, and a showcase of the depth of talent on both sides of the Tasman.