Heading into Saturday's series-clinching opportunity in Baltimore, Erasmus has identified a consistent late-game problem: the Boks have been outscored in the final ten minutes of all three Tests — 7-0 in Soweto, 7-3 in Cape Town, and 7-0 at Ellis Park. His concern isn't the defensive system per se, but scramble defence and the composure to manage those closing minutes the way South Africa used to. He's looking to the blend of youthful energy — Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Hooker, Van den Berg — and experienced heads to hold the line when structure breaks down against New Zealand's offload game.
Erasmus also flags that Feinberg-Mngomezulu hasn't yet hit full stride after his injury layoff, though he singles him out as a key defensive anchor early in games — exactly the moment the All Blacks look to make a fast start. Libbok's role is framed as a late-game weapon when tired legs open gaps, while Pollard is flagged as likely returning for the Perth Test against Australia. The piece is worth reading for Erasmus's specific breakdown of how the Boks plan to contain New Zealand's attack when the defensive line fractures.