Rassie Erasmus Springboks' strengthened their claim as the best team in world rugby — and perhaps the best the game has ever seen — by overpowering the All Blacks 43-28 to win the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series 3-1 in Baltimore on Saturday night.
In front of a record 67,000 crowd for an international rugby match in the United States, the world champions produced a statement performance against their greatest rivals, combining the physical power that has become their trademark with enough attacking flair to overwhelm New Zealand.
The victory gave the Springboks the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry trophy and another significant chapter in their remarkable era under Erasmus.
It was a fascinating clash of styles, with South Africa taking a direct, route-one approach while the All Blacks looked to stretch the field, stay deep and unleash their dangerous backs.
From the opening kick-off, the Springboks signalled their intentions.
Two penalties won inside the first three minutes put Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu within range and the flyhalf duly opened the scoring.
But a sustained All Blacks attack ended with captain Codie Taylor forcing his way over for a try converted by Damian McKenzie.
Ten minutes in, New Zealand led 7-3, but the Springboks were beginning to exert their authority.
Attack after attack was launched at the All Blacks' defensive line before Damian de Allende blasted over from close range to put South Africa back in front.
The scrum penalties began to mount, while New Zealand also fell foul of referee Karl Dickson at the breakdown.
One penalty sent the Boks to the corner and a clever lineout move created the platform for a driving maul, from which Morné van den Berg darted over.
Van den Berg has become something of a lucky charm for the Springboks. He entered the match having never lost a Test and now has six tries in just 10 appearances.
Yet for all their dominance, the Springboks initially could not shake off the All Blacks.
New Zealand produced an extraordinary 30-phase attack, eventually creating the space for Will Jordan to stroll over, reducing South Africa's lead to 17-14 at half-time.
It was a frustrating scoreline for the Springboks, whose dominance had not been fully reflected on the scoreboard.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu had also ended the half by over-kicking a ball into the corner when a more accurate kick could have created another attacking opportunity.
The second half, however, belonged emphatically to the Springboks.
When the South African-dominated crowd broke into the Rassie-era favourite Zombie by The Cranberries, the Springbok scrum responded in kind, winning another penalty.
The Boks kicked to the corner and Malcolm Marx finished off the resulting maul.
South Africa were now in full flight.
Their set-piece dominance was taking a heavy toll, and a superb break by Feinberg-Mngomezulu down the openside touchline created the opportunity for Pieter-Steph du Toit to score.
New Zealand briefly threatened to fight their way back into the contest when Richie Mo'unga kicked a 50-metre penalty to the corner after Deon Fourie's offside at a ruck. Quick lineout ball was spread wide and Ethan Blackadder crossed.
But the Springboks had too much power and too much attacking momentum.
There was controversy when Manie Libbok was penalised for an alleged late tackle on Jordie Barrett, but the All Blacks survived the resulting pressure and then struck spectacularly on the counter-attack, Kurt-Lee Arendse sprinting clear for a sensational try.
By then, the All Blacks were being forced into survival mode.
Cameron Hanekom was next to cross after another period of South African dominance inside the New Zealand 22, and although Beauden Barrett scored a late consolation try, there was no disguising the scale of the All Blacks' defeat.
South Africa had beaten New Zealand in almost every area that matters most: at scrum time, in the collisions, at the set piece and, ultimately, on the scoreboard.
The 43-28 victory was more than another win over the All Blacks. It was another compelling piece of evidence for the growing argument that Erasmus has built the most formidable team in world rugby — one that has now conquered its greatest rival in a four-Test series and continues to set the standard against which the rest of the game is measured.
Scorers
Springboks: Penalty — Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Tries — Damian de Allende, Morné van den Berg, Malcolm Marx, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cameron Hanekom. Conversions — Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Van den Berg, Manie Libbok (2).
All Blacks: Tries — Codie Taylor, Will Jordan, Ethan Blackadder, Beauden Barrett. Conversions — Damian McKenzie (2), Jordie Barrett (2).