South Africa closed out the Greatest Rivalry series with a 43-28 win over New Zealand in Baltimore on Saturday, securing a 3-1 series result that will carry significant weight in the 12 months before the next World Cup.
Only three points separated the sides at halftime — South Africa leading 17-14 — but a rapid double strike early in the second half proved decisive. Malcolm Marx and Pieter-Steph du Toit crossed in the 49th and 53rd minutes to open a 15-point gap, and though Ethan Blackadder replied for the All Blacks, Kurt-Lee Arendse ended the contest with a 50-metre-plus finish that killed New Zealand's momentum and effectively settled the series.
Cameron Hanekom added a try in the 78th minute before Beauden Barrett scored for the All Blacks in the final minute, but the result was long beyond doubt.
Morne van den Berg, named Player of the Match, was a constant threat at scrumhalf. He went close himself before Damian de Allende opened the scoring for the Springboks after South Africa exploited New Zealand's vulnerability to quick-phase ball and strong carries inside their 22. Van den Berg also darted off the back of a lineout maul to score the Springboks' second try of the first half after New Zealand halted the drive.
New Zealand had opened the scoring when quick hands from Damian McKenzie found Codie Taylor for the All Blacks' first try, and their best moment of the half came through a 32-phase assault on the South African line that eventually freed Will Jordan via Richie Mo'unga and Jordie Barrett.
As has been the pattern across all four tests, South Africa's dominance at set piece, in the air, in field position and in defence ultimately proved the difference. In front of close to 70,000 fans at the home of the Baltimore Ravens, the Springboks were simply more than New Zealand could handle.
Captain Siya Kolisi pointed to Rassie Erasmus as the defining factor. "We've got coach Rassie. He knows us and gets us up. When he speaks to us he reminds us where we come from," Kolisi said. "The players who are in the group but not playing today, we do it for them, the guys who are injured and also for the people of South Africa who would love to have the opportunities we have."