Rassie Erasmus: Springboks must beat All Blacks in Baltimore to win series

Rassie Erasmus insists the Springboks have not yet secured victory in their series against New Zealand despite taking a 2-1 lead with a 29-24 win at FNB Stadium in Soweto.

The result means South Africa cannot lose the Greatest Rivalry series, but the trophy will be decided by the fourth and final Test at M&T Stadium in Baltimore, USA, on Saturday.

Erasmus dismissed suggestions that the series had effectively been settled in South Africa, with all three matches so far having been played on home soil.

“I know a lot of people said that this is the series here in South Africa, but it is not – we’ve played three games here and we’re one up, but the final game is still to come,” said Erasmus.

“I know we can’t lose it anymore because there’s not points difference or tries scored (as a tie breaker). But the trophy was actually designed in two halves to be shared if it’s a draw. So, it’s game on.”

The Springboks and All Blacks will travel together to the United States before beginning their preparations for the deciding match.

The fourth Test will also be played without Cheslin, whose series is over after a broken jaw ruled the Bok hero out of the trip to Baltimore.

Erasmus said he hoped to share a drink with All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie during the journey, although he expected their moods to be very different after the result in Soweto.

“Hopefully me and Dave (Rennie, All Blacks head coach) will have a beer. His will be a little bit more bitter and mine will be a little sweeter. But then on Sunday we arrive there and we getinto camp again.

“We assess the injuries; we start planning and it’s number one and two again. It’s the greatest rivalry and we play to try and win the series, and they will try and to draw the series. So, no, it’s going to be flipping important.”

South Africa had to withstand sustained pressure from New Zealand before eventually claiming victory in a high-tempo contest.

The All Blacks led until the 58th minute, while the Springboks did not establish a two-score advantage until the final 10 minutes. The narrow margin reflected the intensity of a match in which neither side was able to take control for long.

“We are happy tonight. It was epic. It was intense. I think the scoreboard at the end showed how close the game was. We’re just happy we won,” said Erasmus.

New Zealand were the stronger team during the opening half, but South Africa went into the interval level to keep the contest in the balance.

“Now we’re on the same flight and now we must try and go replicate that in Baltimore. They weredefinitely on top (in the first half). All of us I think envy the way they can handle the ball and they’re certainly brilliant at that. Luckily we went in level at halftime which gives you some hope.”

The pressure of the occasion was apparent throughout the match, with the world’s top two sides producing another closely fought encounter.

“I’m not sure what my heart rate was but we were certainly nervous. And I think they were nervous.”

The rankings of both teams have changed repeatedly during the rivalry, and Erasmus said the Springboks were under no illusion about how narrow their advantage had been.

“It’s massive, this is. You’re playing number one and two in the world and it switches one week to the next and it certainly lives up to that (hype), and I can tell you now, we’re not sitting here thinking we are flipping awesome. We’re thinking there was also a lot of luck that that went our way.”

The deciding Test takes place in Baltimore on Saturday, with kick-off at 23:00 South Africa time.