Rassie Erasmus has pushed back on any suggestion the Springboks have already secured the Castle Double Malt Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series, insisting the fourth and final Test in Baltimore remains a genuine contest despite South Africa's 2-1 lead.
Saturday's 29-24 win at FNB Stadium gave the Springboks an unassailable series lead on points, but Erasmus was quick to contextualise the trophy format. "The trophy was actually designed in two halves to be shared if it's a draw. So, it's game on," he said, noting that a draw in Baltimore would split the prize.
"We play to try and win the series, and they will try to draw the series. So, no, it's going to be flipping important."
Erasmus acknowledged the All Blacks were dominant in the first half at Soweto, with the Springboks only moving ahead in the 58th minute and not establishing a two-score cushion until the final ten minutes. "They were definitely on top in the first half. All of us I think envy the way they can handle the ball and they're certainly brilliant at that. Luckily we went in level at halftime which gives you some hope."
He was candid about the role of fortune in the result. "We're not sitting here thinking we are flipping awesome. We're thinking there was also a lot of luck that went our way."
Both squads travel to the United States on the same flight ahead of the M&T Stadium clash on Saturday (kick-off 23h00 SA time, live on SuperSport).
On the injury front, Cheslin Kolbe will not make the trip after fracturing his jaw during the first half on Saturday. Also remaining behind are props Carlu Sadie, Boan Venter and Ntuthuko Mchunu, and utility forwards Cobus Wiese and Ben-Jason Dixon. On the positive side, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams and Canan Moodie — all managing injuries in the build-up — are fit to travel.