Springboks draw on neutral-ground experience for decisive All Blacks Test

The Springboks will have to secure the Greatest Rivalry Series without the usual force of home support when they face New Zealand in Baltimore on Saturday.

South Africa lead 2-1 after the opening three Tests, which were played at Ellis Park, Cape Town Stadium and FNB Stadium. The latest match attracted 85,976 spectators as the Springboks moved ahead in the series.

There will be South African supporters inside M&T Bank Stadium, but the Baltimore crowd is also expected to include a significant number of All Blacks fans. Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus said the change of setting would not distract his side as they attempt to claim the series.

“Neutral ground is still 70m by 100m. I guess it’s going to be a good crowd. The only thing that we’ll really miss is our home support, and [New Zealand] will also miss their home support.

“We have played them on neutral ground many times, at World Cups, at Twickenham, pool matches, World Cup semi-finals, finals and things like that. So it’s going to be a hell of a match.”

Erasmus believes South Africa’s previous experience of playing important matches without a strong home following will be valuable in the fourth Test.

He pointed to the British & Irish Lions series in South Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic, when matches were staged in empty stadiums. The Springboks were 1-0 behind in that series before recovering.

“We played a British & Irish Lions series in front of no crowds in South Africa, when we were 1-0 down. We’ve played in Covid times in the Rugby Championship in Australia when there were almost no South Africans there because you couldn’t get out of the country.

“So we try to remind ourselves a lot of that.”

South Africa’s coach also highlighted the importance of maintaining perspective after the team’s defeat at Ellis Park in the opening Test. Although some supporters turned against the side following that loss, Erasmus said most remained positive and continued to back the Springboks.

The team now has the opportunity to finish the series by winning in Baltimore and return to South Africa with the trophy.

Erasmus said the players were determined to reward the millions of supporters who have followed the team throughout the series.

“We saw last weekend again how South Africa supports us,” he noted.

“After the first one we lost [at Ellis Park], some people turned against you, but the majority stayed positive and supported.

“We remember those things, and we’re obviously going to play for them.”

The fourth Test at M&T Bank Stadium kicks off at 23:00 on Saturday.