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 squad to push even harder for the decisive match on American soil. South Africa entered the final encounter trailing 1-0, but they are determined to overturn the deficit and clinch the series 3-1 on Saturday at the stadium that hosts the NFL's Baltimore Ravens. For New Zealand, the goal is to level the series and claim a historic draw in the first traditional three‑match series between the two nations in three decades. In the opening Test, the Springboks managed only a single try, which was not enough to secure a win.
They responded emphatically in the second Test, crossing the line three times, and then upped the ante in the third, scoring four tries as they displayed their most expansive rugby to date. Their classic set‑piece dominance proved decisive, highlighted by a penalty try awarded after a dominant scrum and a lineout maul that forced New Zealand back onto its own try‑line. Yet, the raw power of the forwards was complemented by two well‑executed backline scores, showing a balanced attack.
"Damian de Allende was impressive on Saturday, Jesse Kriel was very good, and Ethan Hooker performed well, so the guys are improving," Erasmus said during the team announcement on Monday. He added that the Springboks may have concentrated too heavily on containing New Zealand in the first Test, rather than taking the initiative when they held the ascendancy for the first hour at Ellis Park.
"At the end of the day you just need to outscore your opposition," Erasmus explained. "If that means they score four tries and you kick five drop‑goals like Jannie de Beer did at the 1999 World Cup against England, you simply have to score more points than them. Trying to contain them is extremely difficult – just ask our franchises and France." For the upcoming fourth Test, Erasmus has tweaked the lineup that delivered a 29‑24 victory over New Zealand last weekend. He has recalled Damian Willemse to the full‑back position, filling in for the injured Cheslin Kolbe, and handed scrum‑half Morné van den Berg his first start of the series, moving veteran Cobus Reinach onto the bench.
The forward pack remains unchanged, reflecting Erasmus's confidence in the set‑piece unit that has been the backbone of South Africa's resurgence. Erasmus has shown a willingness to make late adjustments throughout the series.
Before the second Test, the starting front row was announced as Ox Nché, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw, only to be altered an hour before kickoff to Gerhard Steenekamp, Deon Fourie and Thomas du Toit, with the original trio relegated to the bench. "We feel the team is well settled and all the players delivered in their roles in the last two matches, so selecting the same match‑day squad and putting Damian back in his regular position makes sense," Erasmus said.
Kolbe suffered a broken jaw after a tackle and had previously covered for Willemse when the latter dealt with a hamstring issue in the second Test. "It's good to have Willemse back," Erasmus noted. "He knows the guys around him very well, so it will simply be a matter of him picking up where he left off before last week." The No 9 jersey now belongs to Van den Berg, rewarded for the "fantastic impact" he made off the bench. On the New Zealand side, the headline story 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 match‑day 23. Injury concerns have forced further changes for the All Blacks. Captain and No 8 Ardie Savea is sidelined with a shoulder injury, flanker Luke Jacobson is out with an elbow problem, and centre Quinn Tupaea is unavailable after a knee injury. Lock Fabian Holland is also absent due to illness.
As a result, 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. Veteran backs Beauden Barrett and Rieko Ioane return to the bench. Head coach Dave Rennie commented, "We always planned for there to be a number of changes for this match.
Every player here has worked incredibly hard over the last seven weeks to prepare the team for the seven games we've played so far, and all those selected for this Test fully deserve it. 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 Springboks will line up with Damian Willemse at 15, Kurt‑Lee Arendse on the wing, Jesse Kriel at 13, Damian de Allende at 12, Ethan Hooker on the outside centre, Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu at fly‑half and Morné van den Berg at scrum‑half.
The forward pack features Ox Nché at loosehead prop, Malcolm Marx at hooker, Wilco Louw at tighthead, Eben Etzebeth at lock, Ruan Nortjé at lock, Siya Kolisi as captain at flanker, Pieter‑Steph du Toit at number 8 and Jasper Wiese in the back row. Replacements include Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, André Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok. New Zealand will field Damian McKenzie at full‑back, Will Jordan on the wing, Anton Lienert‑Brown at 13, Jordie Barrett at 12, Josh Moorby at 11, Richie Mo'unga at fly‑half and Cam Roigard at scrum‑half. Their pack consists of Ethan de Groot at prop, Codie Taylor as captain and hooker, Fletcher Newell at prop, Patrick Tuipulotu at lock, Sam Darry at lock, Tupou Vaa'i at flanker, Ethan Blackadder at number 8 and Peter Lakai in the back row.
Replacements are Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Josh Lord, Wallace Sititi, Kyle Preston, Rieko Ioane and Beauden Barrett. Both sides have a chance to write the final chapter of a fiercely contested series. South Africa will look to capitalize on their newfound attacking fluency and set‑piece superiority, while New Zealand will rely on experience, tactical kicking and the fresh impetus of returning players.
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with kick‑off times listed for the UK and Ireland. The outcome will determine whether the Springboks can claim a historic series win on foreign soil or if the All Blacks will secure a respectable draw, extending their rivalry into another memorable chapter.