Springboks player ratings: Arendse, Van den Berg shine in Baltimore

The Springboks saved their best performance for last as they went on to claim Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series with a convincing 43-28 victory (halftime 17-14) in the fourth and deciding test at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, USA, on Saturday.

South Africa dominated for much of the game and finally put daylight between themselves and a brave but ultimately outgunned All Blacks team with an emphatic 26-14 second half performance in front of a heavily green-tinged 68,173 crowd – a record for a rugby match in the USA.

Ultimately, the Springboks outscored the All Blacks in tries (six to four) for the first time in the series as several players delivered heroic performances across the field, with scrumhalf Morne van den Berg producing a man-of-the-match performance, which also included a conversion.

Damian de Allende, Malcolm Marx, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cameron Hanekom also crossed for tries while Codie Taylor, Will Jordan, Ethan Blackadder, and Beauden Barrett (in the final minute) scoring for New Zealand.

Key Springbok player ratings against the All Blacks

Morne van den Berg 9/10

Delivered a standout, man-of-the-match performance after receiving a deserved start at scrumhalf. Besides controlling the game’s tempo, he was outstanding on defence, scored a superb try and even stepped up to handle goal-kicking duties late in the game.

Kurt-Lee Arendse 8/10

Reliable as ever, Arendse wreaked havoc from the wing by repeatedly slicing through defensive gaps, posing a constant counter-attacking threat, and crossing the line for a stunning solo try.

Damian de Allende 8/10

Put in a tireless 80-minute shift in the midfield, bringing his trademark physicality in defence and as a ball carrier, while also scoring another well-finished try.

Jasper Wiese 8/10

Provided immense forward momentum with powerful, non-stop carries and dominant physical work in the loose. He has got better and better as the series has gone on, and like the Springboks, he left his best for last.

Malcolm Marx 8/10

Anchored the front row with signature physicality at the breakdown, setting up the foundation for the forward battle and crossing the line off a powerful rolling maul. He has reminded everyone of his enduring class this series, and there is no doubt Marx is the premier hooker in world rugby.

Scorers:

Springboks 43 (17) – Tries: Damian De Allende, Morne van den Berg, Malcolm Marx, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cameron Hanekom. Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (2), Morne van den Berg, Manie Libbok (2). Penalty goal: Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

New Zealand 28 (14) – Tries: Codie Taylor, Will Jordan, Ethan Blackadder, Beauden Barrett. Conversions: Damian McKenzie (4).