Eben Etzebeth will earn his 146th Test cap in Saturday's decider against the All Blacks in Baltimore, extending his own record as the most capped Springbok of all time, and he says the squad is fully focused on sealing the series.
The Springboks lead Rugby's Greatest Rivalry, presented by Castle Double Malt, two-one after three Tests. Victory in Baltimore wraps up the trophy; defeat leaves the series drawn. Kick-off is at 17h00 local time (23h00 SA).
"This game, in particular, is very special because it will decide whether we win the series or if it will end in a draw," said Etzebeth. "Being able to play four Tests against New Zealand in a row is the ultimate test for any player. It's been tough, and there have been some bruising battles, but that's what we all want to do."
Etzebeth pointed to the team's ability to respond after losing the opening Test as a defining characteristic of this squad, drawing parallels with the 2021 Lions series and both the 2019 and 2023 World Cups, where the Boks recovered from pool-stage defeats to go all the way. He credited the coaching staff with keeping standards brutally honest between matches.
Returning from an extended injury layoff, Etzebeth said getting back to full Test rugby has sharpened rather than dulled his appetite. "It was great to play my first Test against Argentina and get a full 80 minutes, and obviously the last couple of games against New Zealand as well — I'm just glad to be back on the park."
On the broader significance of playing in the United States ahead of the 2031 Rugby World Cup, Etzebeth said the match represents an opportunity to grow the game in a country that will host the tournament. "With the World Cup coming in 2031, they're definitely trying to grow the game here, and this match is a good start."