Springboks Beat All Blacks Again as Baltimore Awaits Final Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test

The Springboks are one win away from finishing Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series with a 3-1 victory after beating the All Blacks 29-24 in a thrilling third Test at FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday.

South Africa’s victory gave them a 2-1 lead in the four-Test series and means the Springboks cannot lose the series, regardless of what happens in the final match in the United States. The fourth and final Test takes place at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday, September 12, in what will be the first time these two rugby giants meet on American soil.

Springboks hold their nerve in Soweto

The third Test was another reminder of just how little separates these two teams.

New Zealand started brilliantly and put the Springboks under enormous pressure during the opening stages. All Blacks captain Ardie Savea scored twice in the first half as the visitors established a 12-5 advantage.

South Africa gradually worked their way back into the contest, however, and the teams went into halftime level at 12-12.

The second half became a battle of physicality and composure.

The Springboks scored through Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel and Malcolm Marx, while a penalty try also went their way. New Zealand responded through Will Jordan and Samisoni Taukei’aho, but the All Blacks could not produce the late comeback required to snatch victory.

The final score was South Africa 29-24 New Zealand.

The result was particularly significant for Siya Kolisi. The Springbok captain recorded his 55th victory as captain, further extending his record for wins as South Africa skipper.

The match also attracted a huge crowd, with almost 88,000 supporters packed into FNB Stadium for one of the biggest rugby occasions South Africa has hosted this year.

Injuries could have a major impact

Both teams paid a heavy price physically.

The All Blacks lost captain Ardie Savea to a shoulder injury during the first half, while Quinn Tupaea and Luke Jacobson have also subsequently been ruled out of the Baltimore Test.

South Africa will also be without one of its most dangerous attacking players. Cheslin Kolbe suffered a broken jaw and will miss the final Test.

Those absences could make the Baltimore encounter very different from the first three matches.

All Blacks must win in Baltimore

The fourth Test is effectively a must-win game for New Zealand.

The All Blacks won the opening Test at Ellis Park 33-16, but the Springboks responded with a 33-26 victory in Cape Town before winning 29-24 in Soweto.

The series now stands:

Test                       Venue                                  Result

1st Test                 Ellis Park             New Zealand 33-16 South Africa

2nd Test               Cape Town         South Africa 33-26 New Zealand

3rd Test                FNB Stadium      South Africa 29-24 New Zealand

4th Test                Baltimore            Saturday, September 12

The final match will take place at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, with the venue hosting what is a historic first meeting between the Springboks and All Blacks in the United States. The match is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, with kickoff listed at 11:00am ET, which is 17:00 SAST.

For the All Blacks, there is plenty at stake. A victory would level the series at 2-2, while another Springbok win would give South Africa a 3-1 series triumph.

Springboks vs All Blacks odds

The betting market for the Baltimore match is already available at Hollywoodbets.

Hollywoodbets currently has the odds of 0.65 for South Africa to win with 1.3 for the All Blacks to win. A draw sits at 20.

Springboks vs All Blacks prediction

I expect another extremely tight Test in Baltimore, but I am backing the Springboks to win.

The biggest reason is the way South Africa has managed the last two matches. The Boks have shown that they can adapt to New Zealand’s attacking game while continuing to put enormous pressure on the All Blacks through their forwards, set-piece play and defensive intensity.

New Zealand will also be without Savea, who was one of their best players in Soweto. Losing their captain and one of their most influential loose forwards is a major blow.

South Africa’s loss of Kolbe is significant, though, and playing in Baltimore removes the home advantage the Boks enjoyed in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

I expect the All Blacks to throw everything at South Africa, particularly because they have nothing to lose. But the Springboks have already demonstrated their ability to handle pressure in the final two Tests.

My prediction: Springboks 28-24 All Blacks.

That would give South Africa a 3-1 series victory and another significant statement ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

For South African bettors, the Springboks to win is my main pick, while a South Africa win by 1-12 points could also appeal if bookmakers offer a competitive price. The previous two Springbok victories were both decided by fewer than 10 points, making another close contest the most likely scenario in my view.