Cheslin Kolbe broke his jaw during the Springboks' 29-24 third-test victory over New Zealand in Johannesburg on Saturday, head coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed post-match. The win gives South Africa a 2-1 lead going into the series finale in Baltimore next Saturday.
Kolbe, starting at fullback after Damian Willemse was ruled out with a hamstring injury, was forced off inside the first 10 minutes. Erasmus did not indicate a timeline for his return.
All Blacks captain Ardie Savea also suffered a first-half departure, scoring two tries before sustaining a shoulder injury that rules him out of the decider.
Ethan Hooker claimed the player-of-the-match award for South Africa. Erasmus highlighted the maul as a decisive weapon: "We mauled exceptionally. We really love scrums, but we love mauling as well."
New Zealand coach Dave Rennie pointed to a drop-off after halftime as costly, with the All Blacks leading 17-12 before the Springboks asserted control through the set piece. "Just after we had the lead, they sort of dominated us in set pieces and won all the scrums and had all the momentum," Rennie said.