With the series on the line in Baltimore, Kolisi has been blunt about the objective — a draw isn't acceptable, only a series win will do. That clarity of intent sets the tone for a Springbok side that has won back-to-back Tests and arrives at the final match with momentum. The more interesting tactical thread is Mo'unga's return at 10, which Mzwandile Stick acknowledges shifts the All Blacks' attacking shape considerably. Stick expects New Zealand to be bolder in keeping ball alive and exploiting wider channels — a different threat to what Love brought — but the Boks' response is predictably front-footed: impose their own game physically rather than recalibrate around the opposition. The caveat Stick offers is worth noting: the last three matches have shown that any drop below their best gets punished immediately, and the All Blacks are desperate enough to level the series that complacency is simply not an option.
Kolisi's winning mindset and the Mo'unga factor ahead of Baltimore
Kolisi has made the Boks' mindset plain — a series win, not a draw — while Stick breaks down why Mo'unga's return at 10 changes the All Blacks' attacking threat and how South Africa plans to meet it head-on in Baltimore.
- Siya Kolisi
- Springboks
- Mzwandile Stick
- New Zealand
Boks remain top but All Blacks close gap to 2.90 points after Nations Championship opener
South Africa stay top of the World Rugby Men's Rankings at 93.94 points but New Zealand have cut the gap to 2.90 after beating France, while Scotland climb to equal their all-time high of fifth following a record 47-38 win over Argentina in Córdoba.
Kolisi treats Barbarians clash as a full Test match ahead of Gqeberha opener
Siya Kolisi insists the Springboks are treating Saturday's Barbarians clash in Gqeberha as a full Test match, with internal competition, positional battles and the season opener's importance all cited as the camp's driving forces.
Hansen's Right to Back Himself — But the Boks' Five-Match Streak Tells a Different Story
Jean de Villiers acknowledges Hansen's logic but argues last year's results and performances make it hard to see the All Blacks closing the gap on the Boks — and the panel get genuinely animated over what a 2-2 series tiebreaker would even look like.
Keo & Zels: Stubborn All Blacks policy make Boks smile
The boys love that New Zealand keep picking their second-best, long may it continue.
All Blacks' loosehead crisis hands Springboks a ready-made weapon in Greatest Rivalry Series
Jeff Wilson has publicly identified loosehead prop as the All Blacks' most dangerous weakness ahead of four consecutive Tests against the Springboks — with Williams likely out, Tu'ungafasi's future uncertain, and the remaining options short on caps and experience. Set against the depth Erasmus has built across the prop positions, this piece maps out why scrum time could be where the Greatest Rivalry Series is decided.