Springboks chase series glory in Baltimore decider against All Blacks
South Africa stand one win away from sealing a four-Test series against New Zealand in Baltimore on 12 September.
The Springboks lead 2-1 heading into the fourth and final Test, which is officially the series decider. It is being played on neutral ground at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, USA, The Guardian reported.
Kick-off is at 5pm local time in Baltimore, which is 10pm BST for viewers in Britain. In New Zealand that is 9am on Sunday 13 September.
A Test, in rugby union, is a full international between national sides. This tour was built as an old-style visit, with three Tests in South Africa followed by a fourth on neutral territory.
New Zealand struck first. The All Blacks won 33-16 in Johannesburg to take a 1-0 lead. South Africa hit back 33-26 in Cape Town to square the series at 1-1.
Then came Soweto. South Africa won the third Test 29-24 at Soccer City to move 2-1 ahead. They overturned a first-half deficit, with second-half tries from Jesse Kriel and Malcolm Marx turning the match, Reuters reported.
The crowd that night was 87,976. That is a huge number even by the standards of this rivalry, long billed as the game’s greatest head-to-head.
For the decider, South Africa have made two changes to the side that won in Soweto. Damian Willemse returns at full-back, the last line of defence and counter-attack, in place of Cheslin Kolbe. Kolbe broke his jaw in the third Test.
The other switch is at scrum-half, the player who feeds the ball from rucks and mauls. Morné van den Berg is promoted to start, with Cobus Reinach moving to the bench. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu remains at fly-half, the chief playmaker who directs the attack.
Siya Kolisi captains the side. He packs down in the back row alongside Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese. Together they extend their record as the most-capped back-row trio in Springboks history.
What makes this stand out is the setting. South Africa against New Zealand rarely leaves home soil. To decide a four-match series in Baltimore, in an NFL stadium, is new ground for both teams.
For fans, this means simple maths. Win, and South Africa take the series 3-1. Win, and New Zealand draw it 2-2 and spoil the party. There is no second chance after this.
