Several changes to the All Blacks side for the final Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry against the Springboks mean some fresh mini-battles will take place as the sides clash in Baltimore on Saturday evening (kick-off 11pm).
The Boks will be wary of the experience brought back by their opponents, but should still have enough firepower to take the clash. However, a handful of New Zealanders could upset the apple cart at M&T Bank Stadium.
Here, we look at five match-ups that could provide the spark in the finale.
Wilco Louw v Ethan de Groot
The South African big man has scrummed every All Black opponent into the ground and now it’s the turn of De Groot again. Everyone will remember that first scrum at Ellis Park where Louw had the number of his opponent. His scrummaging will be key, but also his ball carries and setting the rolling maul of the Boks.
However, De Groot’s concussion kept him out of subsequent matches and his teammates suffered under Louw. Now, the loosehead is back in the starting line-up and will be keen to show that he can stabilise the scrum under the Bok pressure.
Ox Nché v Fletcher Newell
As it is on the tighthead side, so it has been going on the loosehead side. Nché’s scrummaging has caused headaches in the Kiwi pack, so much so that there have been accusations of dark arts against the loosehead. However, he will not be bothered by that. Keep an eye on his ball carries as well.
Newell switches to the starting spot this week and will have the tough task of controlling Nché and getting the better of the Boks’ front-row threat. The question will be if he can hold his own in the first one. If he gets that right, it will go a long way towards disarming the scrum platform.
Morné van den Berg v Cam Roigard
This is as big an opportunity as will come for Van den Berg, who was instrumental in taking the third Test away from the All Blacks in Soweto. A rare start will mean that he must control proceedings from the start. That requires the same accuracy, on attack and defence, that he brought as a replacement in the last two Tests.
The Boks will hope there is not any faking of injuries by the New Zealand scrumhalf. He has been the go-to guy for the All Blacks, and has not set a foot wrong. However, he also has not set the rugby field alight and an improved performance is needed from the No 9.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu v Richie Mo’unga
After not the sharpest of starts in the series, Feinberg-Mngomezulu has matured as the Tests progressed and in Soweto he delivered his finest performance yet. Now, it’s time to take it up another notch and show his all-round skills at M&T Bank Stadium. A complete performance by the flyhalf should put the Boks on the front foot.
But the talismanic Mo’unga is back. He hasn’t been involved in the international matches, but he is a proven match-winner. He will look to manipulate the Springbok rush defence, whether by running the ball or finding space behind them with his kicking boot.
Jesse Kriel v Anton Lienert-Brown
A stronger defensive performance will be high on the list for Kriel. With the All Blacks likely to throw the kitchen sink at the Boks in attack, especially in the wider channels, Kriel’s tackling and organisation will be key to halting them. But his eye for a gap and ability to shake off tackles to gain running territory will be important.
Kept on the sidelines by Quinn Tupaea, Lienert-Brown will be eager to show his impact in the starting line-up. He brings plenty of experience, and his abilities in attack will keep the Bok defence honest.
South Africa v New Zealand matchday 23s for RGR fourth Test in Baltimore
Springboks strating XV: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nché; Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 André Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok
All Blacks starting XV: 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