The Springboks claimed the inaugural Castle Double Malt Rugby's Greatest Rivalry title with a 43-28 victory over New Zealand in Baltimore, sealing the series 3-1 in front of a USA rugby record crowd of more than 68,000 — the majority of them expatriate South Africans.
The Boks scored six tries to four on the night, but Rassie Erasmus was measured in his assessment of the performance. "I wouldn't say we were the better team today. At 60 minutes the game was still in the balance. We appreciate that we won but the margin between us and New Zealand is very small."
For Erasmus, the win — which confirmed South Africa's world number one ranking — carried a significance that extended well beyond Baltimore. "We appreciate the people who were here, but we don't forget the people who were at home; the people in the farm or the boy in the township or the people in the shopping mall. That's what drives us."
He acknowledged the polarising effect the Springboks can have on global rugby audiences, but was unequivocal about the team's primary allegiance. "I know we sometimes annoy other people around the world for the way we go about things, but we really care the most about South African people. There's only one reason for us as a team and for us as a country — it's for South Africa."
Kolisi echoed that sentiment while also reflecting on a notable mid-match stoppage caused by referee audio problems. "Because there was a long stoppage, we were still in the zone, but in that moment you get to appreciate the crowd singing and enjoying the environment."
After the final whistle, both squads gathered for a joint moment of prayer — a gesture Kolisi put into context. "We came together to thank each other. The way the New Zealanders came to our country and embraced it and gave themselves to people there — we came together to thank them for that."