By Adnaan Mohamed
It’s payback time.
The Springboks and All Blacks are heading into a Baltimore blockbuster with Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry (RGR) trophy hanging in the balance and nowhere to hide.
Saturday’s showdown at M&T Bank Stadium is rugby’s heavyweight grudge match with a golden prize at stake.
The Boks lead the series 2-1 after victories in Cape Town and Soweto, having been stunned 33-16 by New Zealand at Ellis Park in the opener.
Now the All Blacks need another knockout blow to force a share of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry trophy.
For the Boks, anything short of victory will leave a bitter taste.
Rassie Erasmus knows exactly what is at stake.
“It’s two good teams who are facing each other again.
“It’s self-explanatory that if New Zealand win it’s a draw and if we’re victorious we’ll win the series.
“That’s what’s on the line, and that’s how we’re approaching this week.”
NO SAVEA, NO EXCUSES
New Zealand arrive wounded by the loss of powerhouse loose forward Ardie Savea.
Erasmus expects the All Blacks to reload rather than retreat.
“Ardie is a real influential player for them,” he said.
“You’ll probably never be able to replace a guy like Ardie Savea 100 percent, but players get older, they retire, and one day you have to replace them.”
The Boks know the danger. New Zealand have enough firepower to turn a match into a five-alarm fire within minutes.
And this time there is no Ellis Park fortress, no DHL Stadium cauldron and no Soweto roar.
There is Baltimore.
Erasmus is unfazed.
“A neutral ground is still 70×100 metres with a good crowd.”
The M&T Bank Stadium can hold 70,745 spectators, creating the tantalising prospect of a green-and-gold invasion against a black-shirted army.
Damian de Allende wants America to witness the rivalry at its rawest.
“They should come out and watch the rivalry between the Springboks and New Zealand,” he said.
“The best way to sell it is to have them come to the stadium and enjoy the experience of watching the top two teams in the world.”
MO’UNGA RETURNS
New Zealand coach Dave Rennie has pulled another rabbit from the hat.
Richie Mo’unga makes his first Test start since the 2023 World Cup final, adding a world-class conductor to an All Blacks attack desperate to turn opportunities into points.
New Zealand made 12 linebreaks to South Africa’s five in Soweto, yet still walked away empty-handed.
Rennie wants that changed.
“We just need to be better.”
“The set-piece stuff will be very important.”
His revamped loose trio of Peter Lakai, Ethan Blackadder and Tupou Vaa’i will have the unenviable task of confronting a Bok pack built like a brick wall.
Codie Taylor returns as captain, bringing experience after injuries robbed the All Blacks of Luke Jacobson and Savea.
“He gives us a lot of experience and leadership,” Rennie said.
The Boks have their own weapons.
Damian Willemse returns at fullback, offering aerial security and counterattacking electricity with Cheslin Kolbe unavailable.
Morne van den Berg’s explosive cameo in Soweto earned him the starting scrumhalf berth, while Jasper Wiese and Malcolm Marx remain central to the Boks’ collision-heavy blueprint.
Ethan Hooker will also be under the spotlight, with the aerial contest likely to become another battlefield.
Then there is the bench.
Cameron Hanekom. Manie Libbok. Deon Fourie.
South Africa have ammunition waiting for the final 20 minutes.
New Zealand have Wallace Sititi waiting in the shadows.
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry has crossed the Atlantic.
Now Baltimore gets the bill.
And this time, there is no hiding place.
“One trophy. Two giants. Baltimore gets the final punch.”
Teams
South Africa: Damian Willemse; Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Ethan Hooker; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Morne van den Berg; Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain); Ruan Nortje, Eben Etzebeth; Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche.
Replacements: Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Andre Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Cobus Reinach, Manie Libbok.
New Zealand: Damian McKenzie; Will Jordan, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Josh Moorby; Richie Mo’unga, Cam Roigard; Peter Lakai, Ethan Blackadder, Tupou Vaa’i; Sam Darry, Patrick Tuipulotu; Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor (captain), Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Josh Lord, Wallace Sititi, Kyle Preston, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett.
Match essentials
Saturday, September 12 | M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
Kick-off: 23:00 SA Time
Referee: Karl Dickson
TMO: Andrew Jackson
Expected conditions: 22°C-27°C, humid and mostly cloudy, with thunderstorms possible.