South Africa came out as winners with 3-1 All black people in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, but it was far from a simple series for the world champions.
After trailing 1-0 after losing the first Test at Ellis Park, Rassie Erasmus admitted the All Blacks were in a “very good position” with his side suddenly needing to win three matches in a row to clinch the series.
But, as the Springboks have so often done, they responded. Their scrum, maul and power play came to the fore as they reeled off three straight wins and turned the series on its head.
Some of the flaws revealed in the first Test remained throughout, particularly South Africa’s failure to consistently convert pressure into points, which repeatedly left matches finely tied deep into the second half.
After all, Springbok supporters will care little about how they got there. The series was won, 3-1. Here’s how each player rated in the four tests.
Back three
Damian Willemse – 7
Assured more often than not at full-back, especially under the high ball, but never quite became the attacking influence South Africa would have liked. Injury cut short his second Test, and he missed the third before returning with another steady, if not spectacular, performance in Baltimore.
Cheslin Kolbe – 8
One of South Africa’s best players before a broken jaw brought his streak to an untimely end. He added flawless goal kicking to his usual aerial work, footwork, chasing and ability to make something out of nothing. He played just one match, limping off after an hour in the first Test before his streak ended 10 minutes into the third, so his overall impact is hard to gauge after missing more than half the series. But whenever he was on the field, he was outstanding.
Kurt-Lee Arendse – 7.5
A head injury ruled out much of the opener but he returned for the third Test, scoring in Johannesburg before producing his best performance in Baltimore, beating eight defenders and making 169 meters from seven carries. Completed series appears to be unplayable.
Ethan Hooker – 8
Despite being overlooked in the first Test, the 23-year-old finished with the most game time of the entire last three in the series, and was one of the main winners. Outstanding in the air, defensively aggressive, unexpectedly effective on the ball and constantly looking for work away from his wing. His latest Test was quieter, but he has already done more than enough to strengthen his case for a long-term spot.
Centers
Jesse Kriel – 6.5
A string of moments rather than consistency for the 32-year-old. He scored important tries in Cape Town and Johannesburg, including a superb 40-metre effort in the third Test, but there were also unusually high misses and quieter attacks either side of those moments.
Damian de Allende – 8
It got better as the series progressed. His 100th Test was solid rather than spectacular, but he became increasingly influential after that, combining bruising delivery with subtle footwork and passing. Outstanding in the last two Tests and probably South Africa’s most consistent back.
Andre Esterhuizen – 6.5
He split time from the bench at center and on the flank. He was achieved after being called up at the start of the first Test in the midfield and continued to offer a very different physical threat whenever he was called upon. Most of his subsequent appearances have come as a hybrid replacement at striker, where he has added direct carry without any dominance in the proceedings.
Fly-halves
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu – 6.5
Interesting series. Loose and vulnerable defensively in the opener, he reportedly fell for Cape Town before Handre Pollard’s withdrawal gave him another start, then gradually looked more comfortable sharing the fielding burden with Manie Libbok. There have been flashes of his huge ceiling, but also enough inconsistency to keep the No. 10 debate alive.
Manie Libok – 7
It generally improved the Boks when they were introduced. He brought clarity to Cape Town and combined particularly well with Feinberg-Mngomezulu in the third Test. His cameo in Baltimore had some ugly moments, but his ability to open a game remained valuable throughout.
Scrum-halves
Grant Williams – 5
He was only featured in the opener, where Fabian Holland proved to be a very expensive tackle before eventually being moved to the wing. The All Blacks applied increasing pressure around the breakdown and Williams was one of those to suffer.
Cobus Reinach – 6
A nightmare opening episode, where his deliberate fielding reduced South Africa to 13, set the tone for a mixed series. He bounced back to start the next two Tests and produced important moments, notably his turnover before the third Test penalty try, but never quite found his best rhythm.
Morne van den Berg – 7.5
He enhanced his reputation every time he appeared. He added pace off the bench at FNB Stadium before making the most of his opportunity in Baltimore, scoring off the back of the maul and constantly threatening around the rim. He ended the streak because he created a real reason to start an impact player more often.
Props
Keeper of the Ox – 8
It remains almost unfair at scrum time. Destroyed the All Blacks in the opener, instantly transformed the set-piece when introduced in Cape Town and was central to the penalty try in the third Test. He even showed off some impressive handling in Johannesburg for good measure.
Gerhard Steenekamp – 6.5
He had the thankless task of comparing me to Nche. He made some great moments in the fightback, especially in the first and third Tests, but was also punished at key times and was quieter when he started in Cape Town.
Wilco Louw – 8.5
The most dominant scrummager of the series. Ripped into New Zealand loose heads in the first Test and repeated the dose at the FNB Stadium. His inside-the-park numbers were also surprisingly strong, including 11 first-half games in Baltimore.
Thomas du Toit – 7
Excellent at the start in Cape Town, where his combination of strength and dynamism on the field stood out. After that, he was less conspicuous off the bench, but remained a reliable source of impact. His importance was perhaps most acutely felt through his absence in the first Test, when the Springbok bench failed to provide the same strength he offered for the rest of the series.
Zachary Porthen – 5
He got one chance in the opener and couldn’t replicate the dominance that Louw created before him. He was out of the team for the rest of the series.
Jan-Hendrik Wessels – 5
Down in the squad list as a substitute whore for the Ellis Park test, but deployed as a prop. He endured a difficult episode of the first Test at large where the scrum lost much of its earlier authority. Dropped for the rest of the series.
Whores
Malcolm Marx – 9
South Africa’s standout batsman in the entire series. His opening Test featured one costly spill over the line, but he responded emphatically. Surgically on the breakdown, flawless on the line and increasingly destructive at the back of the maul, scoring points in each of the last two Tests. The reigning World Rugby Player of the Year delivered.
Deon Furie – 6
Asked to cover both whore and hip, including the start in Cape Town. His breakdown work remained excellent, but the difference between him and Marx at scrum and lineout times became apparent as the series progressed.
Locks
Eben Etzebeth – 7.5
He started sluggishly at Ellis Park after limited-overs rugby in 2026, then produced his best performance of the year in Cape Town, where he was everywhere. Quieter at FNB Stadium before another impactful performance in Baltimore. When the pressure was on, the veteran generally responded.
Ruan Nortje – 7
Did almost all unfashionable jobs. Consistently among the leading hitters in South Africa, reliable in the line and relentless at the time of the run. He rarely produced a headline moment, but his value to the pack was obvious.
Lood de Jager – 5.5
His first appearance in the series was severely damaged by his yellow card in Cape Town. He improved after that without ever becoming much of an impact, though his energy off the bench in Baltimore was useful.
Cobus Wiese – N/A
I only got a few minutes in the introductory test.
Last row
Siya Kolisi – 7
He missed the opener, returned from injury to score in Cape Town and provided exactly the kind of leadership and connective play that Erasmus wanted. His individual numbers were rarely spectacular, but South Africa won all three Tests he started.
Paul de Villiers – 6
Dropped after the first Test when Kolisi returned but acquitted himself well, leading the stroke count and competing fiercely at the breakdown. Unfortunately, Kolisi’s return closed the door after one energetic performance. He would have a higher rating if he appeared more in the series.
Pieter-Steph du Toit – 7
Not quite the superhuman level he produced at his absolute best, but still relentlessly influential. He hit the ground running, scoring 100 games in Cape Town and ending the run with a try in Baltimore.
Jasper Wiese – 7.5
Perhaps the most unstable series of all Bok strikers. Excellent in the opener, anonymous by comparison in Cape Town, then very influential in the last two Tests with his output on both sides of the ball. His brute force drive before the third penalty attempt was one of the key moments of the series. One small concern for Erasmus would be how loose he can be in possession and how prone he is to being dispossessed in contact.
Marko van Staden – 4
One appearance, one expensive yellow card. Not the influence he would like.
Cameron Hanekom – 7
They took advantage of relatively limited opportunities. Athletic, explosive and increasingly influential as the series wore on, culminating in a remarkable cameo in Baltimore with a key tackle, steal and try. Another player whose stock has risen and there will be calls to start.