All Blacks halfback Cam Roigard expects the upcoming fourth Test against the Springboks to demand the absolute peak of his performance, labelling the series finale in Baltimore as the biggest game of his career so far.
With the historic Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series on the line at M&T Bank Stadium, Roigard is under no illusions about the immense pressure and tactical precision required to overcome the world champions.
Looking ahead to the weekend, Roigard expects the Springboks to ruthlessly exploit any mental lapses or unforced errors. Having analysed the previous matches of the tour, he said that New Zealand’s clinical edge in the second half will dictate the outcome.
“The South Africans don't want to make errors, so they’re going to try and put pressure on us through the set-piece, through kicking, and whatnot,” Roigard warned. “When we're making mistakes, that's just fuel for their game.”
To level the series, Roigard expects his side to ruthlessly convert the opportunities they create, a critical failing he noted from their recent encounters.
“We created a lot of opportunities. We got ourselves in the right area of the field, but we missed probably two or three opportunities, particularly in that second half, which against a team like South Africa is just not good enough.”
Facing the same opponent for a rare fourth consecutive week presents a unique mental and physical challenge. However, Roigard expects this intense familiarity to accelerate the squad's development on the global stage.
“Playing the same team four times in a row is pretty unique, but we're going to get a lot of growth out of it, and hopefully we can be better this week for sure,” he said.
While the venue shifts to the 71,000-seat M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Roigard expects the atmospheric intensity to mirror a traditional rugby cauldron. He anticipates a massive turnout from both the local expatriate communities and curious American sports fans eager to witness the sport’s fiercest rivalry.
“We're trying to grow the game, and it'll be a new experience for a lot of people watching this weekend. Hopefully, we can produce a product that serves as a great reflection on the game of rugby.”
On a personal level, Roigard is approaching the final Test with a burning desire to elevate his own game. Despite the bruising nature of the tour, he expects to unlock another level of performance when it matters most.
“I knew before coming in that if I was to play and start, these would be the biggest games of my career so far. And they definitely have been,” Roigard admitted.
“It's where we get tested and where you grow the most. I feel like I've still got a lot to give and that I can still play a lot better. I want to finish this tour strong and have a massive impact in this final Test.”