Damian de Allende has singled out Jordie Barrett as the standout opponent of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series, describing the All Blacks centre's skill set as incredible ahead of Saturday's finale in Baltimore.
The Springbok centre, who recently reached 100 Test caps, said facing New Zealand four weeks in succession has been brutal but remains a massive privilege. South Africa can secure the series trophy with a win or draw at the M&T Bank Stadium, whilst defeat would see the teams finish level at 2-2.
"It is brutal, but it's also a massive privilege to face the All Blacks four weeks in a row," De Allende said. "It's been great for all of us. It's hard, but it's a huge honour."
Barrett stands out in stellar company
De Allende has faced a who's who of world-class centres across his career, including Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Sonny-Bill Williams early on, as well as South African midfielders Frans Steyn, Andre Esterhuizen and Jan Serfontein. Yet Barrett has left a particular impression during the current series.
"At the moment, the one player who really stands out for me is Jordie Barrett," he said. "His skill set is incredible. He has the ability to do everything on the field, and playing against him these past three weeks has been a real pleasure. I always like to learn a lot from my opposition on the field, and I feel like I've learned a great deal from Jordie."
De Allende also expressed sympathy for Quinn Tupaea, who sustained an injury in the third Test at FNB Stadium and is set for a spell on the sidelines. The All Blacks will field a reshuffled backline in Baltimore as a result.
World ranking supremacy at stake
The number one ranking has changed hands twice already during the series. New Zealand claimed top spot after winning the opener at Ellis Park, only to drop back to second following defeats in Cape Town and Soweto. A Springbok victory by more than 15 points on Saturday would establish a 4.70 rating-point cushion, whilst an All Blacks win of any margin would see them return to the summit.
Saturday's match will be the first Test Baltimore has hosted since the USA beat Canada 12-7 in 1978. De Allende said the Springboks hoped the clash would expose the local crowd to a fantastic festival of rugby, with the series having delivered three fiercely contested encounters so far.
The stakes are clear: South Africa can lift the trophy and cement their world number one status, or New Zealand can force a drawn series and reclaim top spot. After four weeks of unrelenting intensity, the finale promises a fitting conclusion to the Castle Double Malt Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series.