---
title: "Rugby world will feel it as Springboks and All Blacks bump heads in Baltimore"
description: "The Springboks and All Blacks shoot down all talk of a dead rubber in the fourth Test of the Greatest Rivalry series in Baltimore."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Final words"
author: "Craig Ray"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/craig-ray/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-11-rugby-world-will-feel-it-as-springboks-and-all-blacks-bump-heads-in-baltimore/"
published: "2026-09-11T14:06:32"
updated: "2026-09-11T14:06:34"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 1310
---

# Rugby world will feel it as Springboks and All Blacks bump heads in Baltimore

> The Springboks and All Blacks shoot down all talk of a dead rubber in the fourth Test of the Greatest Rivalry series in Baltimore.

By Craig Ray · Published 11 September 2026, 16:06 SAST · Updated 11 September 2026, 16:06 SAST

## Key points
- No dead rubber – Coaches Erasmus and Rennie insist Baltimore matters: Springboks lead the four‑Test series 2-1, and the All Blacks can still level it with a win.
- Big blows for New Zealand: captain Ardie Savea (shoulder), Quinn Tupaea (knee) and Luke Jacobson (elbow) out, but Richie Mo’unga and veteran hooker Codie Taylor are recalled.
- Styles clash – All Blacks’ eye‑watering attack (13 tries in three Tests) versus the Boks’ ruthless scrambling defence and a stronger forwards bench that has won the last two weekends.
- More than a match: neutral Baltimore will be a global rugby moment – pride, history and unpredictability on show as the rivalry writes its next chapter.

## Content

Both Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and All Blacks counterpart Dave Rennie have been consistent in the message that this is a four-Test series, and the clash in Baltimore counts as much as the three in South Africa.

That hasn’t been the case from ex-players and media (this publication included), as the three Tests in South Africa felt like a series within a series.

The Boks took that segment 2-1 after winning at DHL Stadium in Cape Town and FNB Stadium in Soweto, with the All Blacks winning the opening clash at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

The series can still be drawn if the All Blacks win in Baltimore, and whatever disappointment the tourists felt at falling short in South Africa will be replaced by another opportunity to topple the world champions.

Simplifying the equation, the Baltimore clash is a Test between the Springboks and the All Blacks, and whatever happened before doesn’t matter. All that counts is the 80 minutes to come.

[Read more

The money game — why the Springboks and All Blacks are playing in Baltimore

September 8, 2026 ![Image](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/2Fbt6FoVYj2xICRRN1rppwHIjT0=/450x0/smart/file/attachments/orphans/Rugby-MoneyGame3_286889.jpg)](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-08-the-money-game-why-the-springboks-and-all-blacks-are-playing-in-baltimore/)

In 2017, the All Blacks thrashed the Boks 57-0 in Albany, New Zealand. Two weeks later the All Blacks hung on for a 25-24 victory at Newlands.

Last year New Zealand defended their impressive Eden Park record where they haven’t lost since 1994, beating South Africa 24-17. A week later in Wellington, the Boks scored a record 43-10 win over the All Blacks.

![Springboks celebrate after beating the All Blacks in 2025.](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/08S3hx9J6xYKZwO4GPzsL06he-Y=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2997/2235167642_676039.jpg)

*Springbok lock RG Snyman (with ball) celebrates with teammates after scoring a try during the Rugby Championship match against the All Blacks at Sky Stadium on 13 September, 2025 in Wellington. The Boks won by a record 43-10. (Photo: Hagen Hopkins / Getty Images)*

### New chapter and fresh narrative

Every game is a new chapter with a fresh narrative and form is no predictor of the result.

That’s what has made this rivalry the greatest in rugby over 105 years and 113 previous clashes.

[Read more

Six-try Springboks destroy All Blacks by record margin in Wellington

September 13, 2025 ![Image](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/xDvfEl2rG7xO9jDW5WiDOdaLqwM=/450x0/smart/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2235171485.jpg)](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-09-13-six-try-springboks-destroy-all-blacks-by-record-margin-in-wellington/)

When the Springboks and All Blacks bump heads, the entire rugby world feels it.

The Boks are also pursuing a third straight win against the All Blacks for the first time since 2009. The All Blacks haven’t lost three consecutive Tests since 2022, when they lost twice to Ireland and then to the Springboks.

“I know a lot of people said that this is the series here in South Africa, but it is not – we’ve played three games here, and we’re one up, but the final game is still to come,” Erasmus said after[last week’s 29-24 win in Soweto.](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-05-boks-take-moral-victory-in-series-after-overpowering-all-blacks-in-soweto/?dm_source=blocks-grid&dm_medium=card-link&dm_campaign=inform&dm_position=11)

“We can’t lose it anymore because there’s no points difference or tries scored as in a tiebreaker. But the trophy was actually designed in two halves to be shared if it’s a draw.”

The neutral venue may give the All Blacks more hope after facing a hostile environment in the previous three weeks, but the Boks have been gaining momentum through the series.

![Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus at the Castle Double Malt Rugby's Greatest Rivalry, 3rd Test: South Africa v New Zealand](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/5V6GDS7p3n4Ez3nmjoOASZuVhZ4=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/Rugby-Bokway8_231984.jpg)

*Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus. (Photo: Lefty Shivambu / Gallo Images / File photo)*

### Mo’unga returns

While Erasmus has chosen virtually the same side that won the third Test – only injured utility back Cheslin Kolbe is missing with Damian Willemse coming in at fullback – the All Blacks have been forced into changes.

Before the first Test, Erasmus predicted that the series would wear teams down physically and mentally. He has proved to be spot on again. While New Zealand came through the first two Tests relatively unscathed, the Soweto dust-up took its toll.

Inspirational captain and No 8 Ardie Savea dislocated a shoulder and did not travel to the US. Centre Quinn Tupaea suffered a knee injury and flank Luke Jacobson has an elbow tendon strain.

They were three of the most influential players for the All Blacks in South Africa.

But Rennie was able to bring back experience by recalling flyhalf Richie Mo’unga for his first Test since the final of Rugby World Cup 2023 after a stint in Japan.

![Rugby World Cup 2023, Final: New Zealand v South Africa](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/bsQ1mSedQNd03S_0_7BoILthi30=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2997/TL_2119626_733450.jpg)

*All Blacks flyhalf Richie Mo’unga (No 10) prepares to tackle Bok prop Steven Kitshoff during the Rugby World Cup 2023 final at Stade de France, Paris on 28 October 2023. Mo’unga will play his first Test since the final, when he starts in Baltimore this weekend. (Photo: Johan Orton / Gallo Images)*

Hooker Codie Taylor, a 111-cap Test veteran, has also been recalled after missing out in Soweto and will captain the team.

Rennie has also turned to vast experience on the bench with utility backs Beauden Barrett and Rieko Ioane set for first Test appearances in the series. Combined they add another 232 Test caps.

Both Ioane and Barrett were in good form during the early stages of the tour when the All Blacks played against South African club sides. But neither has played for three weeks now, which comes with some risk.

“We’ve lost a fair bit of experience with injury with Luke and Ardie out,” Rennie said of last week’s captain and vice-captain.

“When Ardie was captain, when he left the field, Luke took over. With both of them unavailable, we felt Codie coming back in, he’s an excellent player, but gives us a lot of experience and leadership, and that’s been really valuable throughout the week.”

![All Blacks coach Dave Rennie](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/8HIjRWvHwWkPPP9MANu5M_DWhh8=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/TL_2611543_889670.jpg)

*All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie. (Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images)*

### Black attack

While the Boks have improved over the series, they have battled to corral the All Blacks’ piercing attacking play, conceding 13 tries in three Tests. There were five in the first, and four each in the second and third Tests.

While that statistic looks poor, there is an argument that lesser sides with weaker defensive structures would have conceded double the number of tries.

In a way, the Boks’ defence, especially their scrambling efforts once the first line has been breached, has been excellent.

Naturally, the All Blacks talked up their attack in the build-up to this Test with assistant coach Mike Blair suggesting that they can score many more tries with slightly more accuracy.

“Our finish success rate inside the 22 over the three Tests has been excellent on the whole, so we want to get more out of our attack and our ability to finish,” Blair said.

“We’re aware that you can’t finish every opportunity, but we don’t want them to finish in a turnover. If it finishes in a turnover, what’s happening is it goes to a set piece. This slows the game down a bit, and it feeds their strength.

“So, our balance between finishing our opportunities and keeping the pressure on through multiple phases is really important.”

Outside of the first Test though, when the Boks were well below par in terms of their finishing, the world champions have also scored eight tries in Tests two and three.

While the return of lock Patrick Tuipulotu and flank Ethan Blackadder adds some grunt to the All Blacks pack, it doesn’t feel like enough to unsettle the menacing power of the Bok eight.

![The Springboks and All Blacks teams for the final Test in the Greatest Rivalry series in Baltimore.](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/K-6Y20bJxlV7tIGdj1KmnoExMLU=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2997/Boks_v_AllBlacks_Test4_matchday_squads_184264.png)

*The teams for the fourth and final Test of the 2026 Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series to be played in Baltimore, Maryland, on 12 September. (Graphic: DM using AI)*

The Boks also appear to have more class among the forwards on the bench, which is where the game has been won and lost in the past two weekends.

It all points to another Springbok victory, but if there is one thing the Greatest Rivalry series has shown, it’s that making predictions is folly.

All we know for sure is that, for the 114th time, the match will be a benchmark of the sport.

The watching rugby world (and the new fans in Baltimore) will come away knowing they have seen the game’s two best teams pushing each other to the limit once again. **DM**