News24 | Bok royalty approves: Former captains hail ‘fantastic’ series triumph over All Blacks

Former South Africa captain Victor Matfield, Jean De Villiers and Schalk Burger have hailed the Springboks four-match Test series win over New Zealand as "fantastic".

Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

• Former Springbok captains Jean de Villiers, Victor Matfield and Schalk Burger have hailed South Africa’s 43-28 series-clinching victory over New Zealand in Baltimore as proof the team “always finds a way” to win.
• The legends praised the Springboks’ aerial dominance and mental strength in recovering from a first-Test defeat to win three in a row and complete a 3-1 series triumph.
• The world champions now boast a 7-1 Test record in 2026 ahead of their 29 September clash with Australia in Perth.
• For more Springboks news, visit our dedicated section HERE.

Former South Africa captain Jean de Villiers said on Sunday that the 43-28 series-clinching victory over New Zealand was a “fantastic performance by a fantastic team”.

The Springboks outscored the All Blacks by six tries to four in Baltimore in the US on Saturday to complete a 3-1 triumph in the four-Test ‘Greatest Rivalry’ showdown.

READ | ‘Something special’: Rassie hails Kurt-Lee magic, knows Boks annoy the world

“This success will live long in the memory. We must celebrate how we recovered from losing the first Test to win three in a row,” De Villiers told SuperSport.

Fellow former South Africa captains Victor Matfield and Schalk Burger and former wing Breyton Paulse also hailed the reigning Rugby World Cup champions and top-ranked team.

‘Incredible ability to turn things around’

“This team has an incredible ability to turn things around. We were trailing in the series just a few weeks ago and now we are jubilant,” said Matfield.

“A key factor was the aerial battle. I was worried about that aspect of the game before the series, but we grew stronger as the series developed.

“We must also salute (head coach) Rassie Erasmus. He did not panic after the first Test loss. He said then that we could still win the series.”

Burger, a flanker who led the Springboks 11 years ago when centre De Villiers and lock Matfield were unavailable, said the Springboks “always find a way (to win)”.

READ | ANALYSIS | Rassie’s Invincibles? Boks underline champ status with series win from 1-0 down

“I was a little concerned that we built only a three-point lead by half-time. “We made six entries into the All Blacks’ 22 and scored just two tries.

“But the second half was a different story.

“We dominated the aerial battle and I thought (wing) Kurt-Lee Arendse was outstanding.

“It was also tremendous to see so much green (South African supporters) in an American stadium. This augurs well for the 2031 World Cup in the USA.”

Aerial dominance the key

Paulse also highlighted how virtually every aerial contest in Baltimore was won by South Africa.

“This is the result of many hours of extra work at the training grounds. A decade ago we really battled in this facet of the game.

“Kurt-Lee (Arendse) is not a tall player, yet he won numerous aerial duels. That is amazing, truly amazing.

“Looking at the whole series, (hooker) Malcolm Marx gets my vote as the outstanding player. His strength, his skill, his commitment. What a Springbok.”

Australia up next

After four intense, bruising battles with second-ranked New Zealand, South Africa return to action on 29 September against 2027 World Cup hosts Australia in Perth.

Erasmus has hinted that Springboks who did not face the All Blacks, including flyhalf Handre Pollard and lock/loose forward Franco Mostert, will feature against the Wallabies.

READ | Rassie’s Greatest Rivalry verdict: ‘Every week was a griller, great for the game’

In November, they are away to Italy, France and Ireland in the second half of the Nations Championship league phase.

After facing the Irish in Dublin on 21 November, the Springboks travel to London for a three-day finals series the following weekend.

Winning in Baltimore gave South Africa a 7-1 Test record this year.

Before tackling New Zealand, they beat England, Scotland and Wales in the Nations Championship and Argentina.