Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has made his team's intentions clear ahead of the historic fourth and final Test of the "Rugby's Greatest Rivalry" series against the All Blacks: South Africa is playing to win the series outright, not to protect their lead.
Speaking from Baltimore, United States, ahead of the clash at M&T Bank Stadium, Kolisi rejected any notion of complacency. Holding a 2–1 series lead following hard-fought victories in Cape Town and Soweto, the Springboks could technically secure the series silverware with a draw. However, the legendary skipper completely shut down that mindset.
“We definitely want to win the series,” Kolisi stated boldly. “We don’t want to draw it, and that has been our mindset this week... We may be leading the series, but we know on the other side they are desperate to level it up, so we want to make sure we finish properly tomorrow.”
Adding an immense emotional layer to an already massive fixture, the match will mark a monumental milestone for South African rugby. It will be Rassie Erasmus’ 100th Test match involved with the Springboks since his game-changing appointment in 2018, spanning his dual roles as head coach and Director of Rugby.
Under Erasmus, the Springboks have captured back-to-back Rugby World Cups, and the squad is fiercely motivated to honour his centenary match with a historic series victory on American soil.
The intense nature of a four-Test tour against their greatest rivals has pushed both heavyweights to their absolute physical and mental limits. Kolisi likened the month-long campaign to the highest stakes imaginable in the sport.
“In my experience, it doesn’t get tougher than this,” Kolisi admitted. “It’s like playing four Rugby World Cup finals in as many weeks given the quality of both teams. We both want to enforce our style of play on the game.”
Because the teams are facing each other in such quick succession, the tactical chess match has intensified. “We’re growing and learning on the go... They get to know you, and you get to know them, so you have to find other ways and other weaknesses,” Kolisi explained.
While the Springboks have relied on their trademark power, Kolisi is well aware that New Zealand has reshaped their ranks for the stateside finale, introducing fresh personnel and recalling world-class flyhalf Richie Mo'unga to steer the backline.
“This week we’re playing almost a new All Blacks team compared to last week, and Richie Mo’unga brings a different dynamic, so it might be different from the other games. We’ve all seen in the last three games that if you are not at your best, they have what it takes to punish you. But so do we, and we want to make sure we keep making our people proud.”
The key to countering this new-look Kiwi lineup, according to Kolisi, is simple: "Make sure we enforce our game on them, and pitch up physically on the day."
Addressing outside noise and media speculation surrounding the team's strategies, Kolisi emphasised that the squad remains entirely insulated and trusting of their internal structures. He shed light on the fluidity of South Africa's modern game plan, dispelling myths that the Boks are a one-trick pony.
“What matters within our circle is what we want of each other. What is said outside doesn’t really matter because we do what works for us,” Kolisi said. “Our system isn’t rigid. We can play set-piece rugby and a kicking game. We don’t have a system that says we have to play a certain way. It creates opportunities for us to play, so as long as it works, we’ll stick to it, and if it doesn’t, we’ll find a better way to do things.”
With the world No. 1 ranking, a historic series trophy, and Rassie Erasmus' 100th match legacy all on the line, the stage is set for an unforgettable battle in Baltimore.