Boks trump All Blacks to clinch Greatest Rivalry series trophy

MATCH REPORT: The Springboks clinched the Greatest Rivalry series 3-1 against New Zealand after a 43-28 victory in the fourth Test at M&T Stadium in Baltimore.

The Boks outscored New Zealand six tries to four in an entertaining contest, with both sides throwing the kitchen sink at each other in front of 68,137 spectators.

*To recap all the action, CLICK HERE!

The Springboks showed their intent from the kick-off by running out of their red zone and winning an early offside penalty.

The All Blacks were penalised again for a high tackle on Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who split the uprights to get South Africa on the scoreboard.

The All Blacks struck back after a sustained period on attack inside the Boks’ half as Codie Taylor dotted down in the eighth minute. Damian McKenzie slotted the conversion kick.

The Boks hit back in the 14th minute, which originated from a scrum through Damian de Allende, who barged over from close range. Feinberg-Mngomezulu slotted the sideline conversion.

New Zealand conceded a penalty for playing the ball on the ground, with the Boks opting for the five metre line-out. Morne van den Berg sniped from the back of the maul to cross the whitewash in the 21st minute. Feinberg-Mngomezulu added the extras.

New Zealand struck back after 32 phases of attack through Will Jordan under the posts in the 38th minute, which McKenzie converted.

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The Boks drew first blood through Malcolm Marx’s try from a rolling maul in the 49th minute. Feinberg-Mngomezulu missed the conversion kick.

South Africa went back-to-back through Pieter-Steph du Toit, who dotted down following a linebreak by Feinberg-Mngomezulu from inside his own half to extend the lead. Van den Berg slotted the conversion to make it a 15-point lead after 53 minutes.

New Zealand closed the gap through Ethan Blackadder in the 63rd minute following a series of penalties conceded by the Boks, with McKenzie adding the extras.

Following a comedy of errors from both sides, Kurt-Lee Arendse, who had a few breaks in the game, sliced the All Blacks open to run it in under the posts. Manie Libbok’s conversion restored the 15-point lead with eight minutes left to play.

Cameron Hanekom sealed the deal in the 76th minute, erasing any doubt following a turnover he won in New Zealand’s red zone.

New Zealand had the final say through Beauden Barrett in the 79th minute, which McKenzie quickly converted to ensure another restart.

The All Blacks had one final attack from deep, but a forward pass made it all undone as the Springboks clinched the series 3-1.

Player of the Match: Several players could’ve gotten this award, but the Rugby365 award goes to Damian de Allende, who was instrumental on attack. He made the most carries (18) and won a turnover.

Scorers:

For South Africa:
Tries: De Allende, Van den Berg, Marx, Du Toit, Arendse, Hanekom
Cons: Feinberg-Mngomezulu 2, Van den Berg, Libbok 2
Pen: Feinberg-Mngomezulu

For New Zealand:
Tries: Taylor, Jordan, Blackadder, Barrett
Cons: McKenzie 4

Teams:

South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok.

New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor (captain), 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Rieko Ioane, 23 Beauden Barrett.

Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England), Christophe Ridley (England)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (England)