South Africa completed a 3-1 series victory over New Zealand with a commanding 43-28 win in Baltimore on Saturday night, sealing the spoils in the fourth and final Test of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry.
The Springboks, who led the series 2-1 after the opening three matches in South Africa, produced a devastating second-half display at M&T Stadium to secure the triumph. Having led 17-14 at the interval, South Africa pulled clear after the break to record a 15-point victory in front of a US record crowd of 68,173.
The opening half unfolded in hot and humid conditions, with both sides trading early blows. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu opened the scoring with a third-minute penalty before Cody Taylor crossed for New Zealand to put the All Blacks 7-3 ahead after seven minutes. The Springboks responded through tries by Damian De Allende in the 14th minute and Morne van den Berg in the 21st to establish a 17-7 advantage. Will Jordan's try after 32 phases in the South African 22 narrowed the gap to 17-14 with three minutes remaining in the half.
The Springboks were guilty of making too many errors in the opening 40 minutes and will acknowledge they could have made more of their opportunities. That changed after the break, as South Africa found the accuracy and intensity that had eluded them earlier to pull away decisively.
The series victory represents a significant statement for the Springboks, who dominated the four-match contest despite the All Blacks' solitary win. The Baltimore leg of the rivalry showcased the enduring appeal of Southern Hemisphere rugby to American audiences, with the record crowd underlining the sport's growing footprint in the United States. For South Africa, the result provides momentum heading into the next phase of the international calendar.