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Mo'unga returns as All Blacks seek Baltimore leveller in Greatest Rivalry decider
Richie Mo'unga will start his first Test since the 2023 World Cup final when New Zealand face the Springboks in Baltimore on Saturday, with the series poised at 2–1 to South Africa. All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie confirmed the selection was pre-planned regardless of the Soweto result, while the Boks aim to clinch the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry trophy outright. The fixture doubles as a staging post for the 2031 World Cup in the United States.
Mo'unga Returns as All Blacks Ring Changes for Series Finale
Richie Mo'unga will make his first Test appearance in three years when New Zealand face the Springboks in Baltimore on Saturday, headlining wholesale changes to Dave Rennie's side. The fly-half last featured in the 2023 World Cup final defeat to South Africa. Codie Taylor captains an entirely recast front row in the absence of injured skipper Ardie Savea as the All Blacks seek to level the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series at two apiece.
Springboks hold freshness advantage as All Blacks arrive battle-weary in Baltimore
The Springboks enter Saturday's final Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test in Baltimore with a significant physical edge after a month-long series that has left New Zealand depleted and fatigued. While Rassie Erasmus has managed only minor squad tweaks, the All Blacks have lost key personnel including Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson and Quinn Tupaea to an arduous tour schedule that included four provincial fixtures alongside three brutal Tests. Former All Black Justin Marshall conceded the tourists have been "beaten up" by the demands of facing South Africa's franchises and the world champions.
De Allende hails Barrett brilliance as Springboks eye series triumph in Baltimore
Damian de Allende has praised Jordie Barrett's skill set ahead of Saturday's Rugby's Greatest Rivalry finale in Baltimore, where the Springboks can lift the trophy with a win or draw. The centurion centre described facing the All Blacks four weeks running as brutal but a massive privilege, and said he has learned a great deal from Barrett across the three Tests. South Africa hold a 2-1 series lead heading into the M&T Bank Stadium clash.
Taylor to captain All Blacks as Mo'unga starts at 10 for series finale
Codie Taylor captains a changed All Blacks side for the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series finale against the Springboks on Saturday, with Richie Mo'unga at 10.
De Allende eager to seal RGR series in Baltimore as Boks hold 2-1 lead
Damian de Allende is focused on sealing the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series for the Springboks in Baltimore on Saturday, with South Africa holding a 2-1 lead going into the final match at M&T Bank Stadium.
Rankings top spot on the line as Springboks and All Blacks head to Baltimore
South Africa take a 2-1 series lead and the number one ranking into the fourth Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test in Baltimore, where a win of any kind for New Zealand restores them to the summit while a Springbok victory by more than 15 points would open up a 4.70-point ratings gap.
De Allende singles out Jordie Barrett as standout opponent of 102-Test career
Damian de Allende has identified Jordie Barrett as the most impressive centre he has faced in 12 years of international rugby. The 34-year-old, speaking ahead of the fourth Test against New Zealand in Baltimore, praised Barrett's all-round skill set after three consecutive encounters in South Africa. De Allende's assessment comes despite having faced midfield greats including Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith and Sonny Bill Williams early in his career.
Etzebeth: All Blacks series tougher than World Cup knockout rugby
Record Springbok cap holder Eben Etzebeth has described the four-Test Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand as the toughest challenge in modern rugby, surpassing even World Cup knockout football in difficulty. The veteran lock credited the coaching staff and squad unity for overturning a 0-1 deficit to secure a 2-1 lead heading into Saturday's Baltimore decider, drawing parallels with previous comebacks against the British and Irish Lions and during both recent World Cup campaigns.
De Allende names Jordie Barrett as toughest opponent of his career ahead of Baltimore decider
De Allende names Jordie Barrett as the toughest opponent of his career ahead of the series-deciding fourth Test against the All Blacks in Baltimore.
All Blacks demand breakdown consistency ahead of Baltimore decider
New Zealand have called for refereeing consistency at the breakdown as they prepare for Saturday's final Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test in Baltimore. Attack coach Mike Blair believes illegal play should be penalised rather than coached, whilst lock Sam Darry acknowledged his side must improve their maul defence and discipline after falling 2-1 behind in the series.
John Smit declares Malcolm Marx the greatest Springbok hooker of all time
Former World Cup-winning captain John Smit has named Malcolm Marx the finest hooker ever to wear the Springbok jersey, praising the 32-year-old's complete skill set and leadership qualities. Marx delivered another commanding performance in South Africa's 29-24 victory over New Zealand in Johannesburg, earning player-of-the-match honours with faultless line-out throwing, a crucial breakdown penalty and a late driving-maul try. Smit highlighted Marx's combination of physical prowess, technical excellence and character as setting him apart from every South African hooker who came before.
Davids warns All Blacks: Bok pack still not the finished article
South Africa's forwards coach Deon Davids has issued a stark warning ahead of Saturday's Rugby's Greatest Rivalry decider in Baltimore, insisting the Springbok pack can improve further despite their set-piece dominance over New Zealand. The Boks won four scrum penalties and achieved a 93.9 per cent lineout success rate in the third Test at Soccer City, forcing the All Blacks to throw short. Malcolm Marx's maul try and a penalty try from scrum pressure underlined South Africa's forward supremacy, yet Davids maintains the unit is far from its ceiling.
Etzebeth chases series win as record 146th cap beckons in Baltimore
Eben Etzebeth is set to earn a record 146th Test cap when the Springboks face the All Blacks in Baltimore on Saturday, with the series on the line — a Springbok win seals Rugby's Greatest Rivalry trophy, while defeat results in a draw.
Mallett calls World Cup draw 'scandalous' as Boks and All Blacks face quarter-final clash
Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett has criticised the 2025 Rugby World Cup draw that could see South Africa and New Zealand meet in the quarter-finals. The two top-ranked sides are on course to collide in the last eight following the Springboks' 2-1 series lead in Rugby's Greatest Rivalry.
Erasmus keeps faith with settled side as World Cup blueprint takes shape
Rassie Erasmus has named a near-identical starting XV for Saturday's Rugby's Greatest Rivalry finale in Baltimore, making just three changes from the side that began the series at Ellis Park. The retention of the same core group across four consecutive weeks represents a strategic shift from earlier rotation policies, with the Springbok coach using the series to test his squad's capacity to sustain intensity through back-to-back fixtures ahead of next year's World Cup in Australia.
All Blacks lead try-scoring but Boks hold 2-1 series advantage ahead of Baltimore decider
New Zealand have scored 13 tries across the opening three Tests of the Greatest Rivalry series, five more than the Springboks, and registered 12 linebreaks in the most recent encounter alone. Yet the world champions hold a 2-1 lead heading into the fourth and final Test in Baltimore this weekend, with the All Blacks' inability to convert pressure into scoreboard points proving costly in Soweto.
Wiese relishes record loose trio milestone as Springboks eye historic series win
Jasper Wiese has reflected on breaking the Springboks' loose forward record alongside Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit, describing the achievement as a privilege built on genuine friendship. The trio started their 18th Test together at FNB Stadium, surpassing the previous mark held by Francois Louw, Willem Alberts and Duane Vermeulen. With a series victory over New Zealand within reach in Baltimore, Wiese emphasised the significance of the opportunity for the entire squad.
Amashukeli's reasoning vindicated: Why Ruben Love's yellow card was correct
Referee Nika Amashukeli's decision to yellow-card Ruben Love for offside in the All Blacks' defeat in Soweto was correct, with the confusion stemming from social media screenshots showing the wrong breakdown and commentary obscuring his on-field explanation.
Wiese warns Boks to expect same All Blacks threat despite Savea's absence
Jasper Wiese says Ardie Savea's absence does not change South Africa's preparations for Saturday's series-deciding fourth Test in Baltimore, warning that New Zealand's remaining loose forwards are equally experienced and dangerous. Wiese also noted the new Springbok loose trio appearance record set alongside Kolisi and Du Toit in Soweto.