The Springboks have won the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series after defeating New Zealand 43-28 in Baltimore, United States, on Saturday.
The victory saw South Africa clinch the four-Test series 3-1 after losing the opening match to the All Blacks. The Springboks lifted the trophy in front of 68 000 spectators at M&T Bank Stadium.
The final Test also saw the Springboks outscore the All Blacks six tries to four, with Damian de Allende, Morné van den Berg, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cameron Hanekom crossing the try line for South Africa.
The series was part of New Zealand’s six-week, eight-match tour of South Africa and was the first full-scale All Blacks tour of the country in 30 years. The tour concluded with the two sides travelling to Baltimore for the final Test.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi expressed his gratitude for the global support the team received, saying the players represent both supporters who can afford to travel to watch them and those who support the team from home.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus also thanked New Zealand for embracing South Africa during the tour.
“The way they gave themselves to people in our country; we came together to thank them for that. It’s tough that one team has to win and one team has to lose but we know we are going to see each other again,” Erasmus said.
