There could hardly be a more fitting way for Rassie Erasmus to mark his 100th Test in charge of the Springboks than by beating the All Blacks and securing a Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series victory.
The Springboks hardly need motivation when the Men in Black are standing opposite them, but Saturday’s showdown in Baltimore carries added significance for Erasmus as he reaches the landmark of a century of Tests involved at the helm of the national team.
Erasmus took over an ailing Springbok side at the beginning of 2018 and has since presided over one of the most successful eras in South African rugby history. While Jacques Nienaber was officially head coach for 39 Tests between 2021 and 2023, Erasmus was his vital right-hand man as Director of Rugby. Erasmus’s official tally as head coach stands at 60 Tests, covering his first stint in 2018 and 2019 and his return to the top job from 2024.
The collective results have been extraordinary: a win rate of 73.7%, two Rugby World Cup titles, a British & Irish Lions series victory, and Rugby Championship triumphs in 2019, 2024, and 2025. In May, Erasmus was awarded the National Order of Ikhamanga in Gold by the Presidency, recognising his outstanding contribution to South African sport.
Now there is another piece of silverware he would dearly love to add to his collection — a Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series victory over the All Blacks.
The Boks have already overturned a disappointing start to the series. After losing at Ellis Park, they responded with victories in Cape Town and Soweto to take a 2-1 lead into Saturday’s finale. A series win would be particularly significant given the history between these two nations; the last time South Africa and New Zealand contested a full series was in 1996, when the All Blacks prevailed on South African soil.
Now, 30 years later, Erasmus has the opportunity to lead the Boks to a series triumph over their ultimate rivals — and do it on his 100th Test occasion.
The stage could hardly be more appropriate. M&T Bank Stadium, home of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, will hold around 71,000 spectators, with a huge contingent of South African expatriates expected to turn the venue into a sea of green and gold. There is even likely to be another rendition of the now-familiar “Rassie” version of The Cranberries’ Zombie.
For Erasmus, though, the noise will be secondary to what transpires on the pitch. After the Boks lost the opening Test in Johannesburg, sections of the South African public expressed disappointment, but support returned in force as the team fought back into the series.
Erasmus has not forgotten that loyalty.
“We saw last weekend how South Africa supported us. After we lost the first game, some people turned against us. But the majority stayed positive and supportive. We remember those things, and we will play for them,” he said.
That provides the emotional backdrop to a match already steeped in history and significance. Erasmus is 80 minutes away from adding another historic achievement to his groaning trophy cabinet — and with the All Blacks standing in the way, the stage is set.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW …
South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok.
New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor (captain), 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Rieko Ioane, 23 Beauden Barrett.
Venue: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
Kick-off: 11pm (SA time)
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England), Christophe Ridley (England)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (England)
