Boks back Krappie for Baltimore decider

Morné van den Berg starts at scrumhalf in one of two changes to the Springbok starting XV for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series decider in Baltimore on Saturday. freshyourfeel.com

Van den Berg replaces Cobus Reinach, who drops to the bench, while fit-again Damian Willemse comes in for the injured Cheslin Kolbe at fullback.

However, there is no starting opportunity for Manie Libbok, who played the majority of the third Test at FNB Stadium as a replacement, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu wearing the No 10 jersey for a fifth consecutive Test.

42 wins in 49 Tests: These Springboks are simply relentless

A victory for the Springboks at the M&T Bank Stadium would seal a 3-1 series win, while the All Blacks are hoping to share the trophy.

Kick-off is at 11pm (SA time).

RASSIE: Morné deserves his chance

SPRINGBOKS – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nché.
Bench: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 André Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok.

Photo: Roger Sedres/Gallo Images

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Rassie Erasmus says Morné van den Berg has earned the opportunity to wear the Springbok No 9 jersey in Baltimore on Saturday.

The 28-year-old is one of only two changes to the starting XV for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series decider against the All Blacks, replacing Cobus Reinach, who drops to the bench.

Van den Berg came on in the 43rd minute of the Boks’ 29-24 victory at FNB Stadium on Saturday, helping the world champions take a 2-1 lead in the four-Test series.

TEAM: Boks back Krappie for Baltimore decider

“Morné made a fantastic impact when he took the field last week, and he deserves a chance to start, so Cobus switches to the bench where he will add experience and skill in this vital match,” Erasmus said.

The only other change sees Damian Willemse return at fullback after Cheslin Kolbe suffered a broken jaw.

“Damian started the first two Tests and had it not been for a niggle last week, he would have also started that match, so it’s good to have him back,” Erasmus said.

“He is a quality player, and he knows the guys around him very well, so it will simply be a matter of him picking up where he left off before last week.”

OPINION: Greatest Rivalry can get even better

Having won the past two Tests, Erasmus has otherwise backed the combinations that put the Boks within one victory of clinching the series.

“We feel that the team is well settled and all the players delivered in their respective roles in the last two matches, so we believe selecting the same match-day squad, and naming Damian back in his regular position, makes sense for the closing match of the series,” he said.

42 wins in 49 Tests: These Springboks are simply relentless

“These players also know exactly what to expect from a very determined All Blacks team, who will give everything to draw the series this weekend.”

ALSO: ‘Humble’ Kiwis look for scrum quick fix

Erasmus expects New Zealand to respond strongly at M&T Bank Stadium after successive defeats.

“We have faced the All Blacks three weeks in a row, and just like us, they are a proud team who showed last week that they will never stop fighting until the final whistle, so we are under no illusions about the magnitude of the challenge ahead this weekend.

“That said, we are equally determined to finish the series strongly and give everything to lift the trophy, and the players are excited about the match.

“We have no doubt that it’s going to be another epic encounter that will require a full-blown 80-minute effort on attack and defence.”

Photo: Floris van Schouwenburg/Gallo Images

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The Springboks and All Blacks clash in the fourth Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test in Baltimore, USA, this Saturday. As things stand, the Boks lead the series 2-1.

Here is everything you need to know about the fourth Test which will be played at the M&T Bank Stadium, including the kick-off time.

RGR series so far

Saturday’s match will be the eighth of the All Blacks’ tour of South Africa, though this final game is being played in the USA.

The All Blacks beat all four of the South African United Rugby Championship teams on tour – namely the Stormers 38-21, the Sharks 54-0, the Bulls 50-19 and the Lions 41-35.

In the three Tests to date, the All Blacks won the opener at Ellis Park 33-16, but the Boks hit back in Cape Town (33-26) and at the FNB Stadium last weekend (29-24).

The M&T Bank Stadium

The final Test takes place on Saturday at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

The stadium opened in 1998 and is the home of the Baltimore Ravens in the National Football League. It is a multi-purpose stadium with a capacity of 70,745.

The playing surface was originally natural grass before it became an artificial surface in 2003. It returned to a natural grass surface in 2016 which is currently Tifway 419 Bermudagrass.

American football, soccer and lacrosse are played at the stadium. Saturday’s match will be the first rugby game at the venue.

Metallica, Beyonce, One Direction, Billy Joel and U2 have staged concerts at M&T Bank Stadium.

This Saturday’s Test

This weekend’s match between the Springboks and All Blacks is the finale of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.

If the Boks win in Baltimore they will win the series 3-1, but if the All Blacks win the series will end in a 2-2 draw.

The match on Saturday evening will be handled by referee Karl Dickson of England.

The kick-off time is at 5.10pm (Baltimore time) and 11.10pm SA time.

Keep following The Citizen for everything about this week’s Test.

Stephen Donald applauded the physicality and try-scoring prowess of Springbok juggernaut Malcolm Marx in the third Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.

The former All Blacks flyhalf was speaking to Kiwi sportscaster Kirstie Stanway on The Aftermatch with Kirst & Beav podcast, prompted by Ardie Savea’s brace at FNB Stadium on Saturday – a haul that moved him top of the forwards’ all-time Test try-scoring list (35).

“I wanted to talk about a couple of other people on that list,” Stanway said. “Richie McCaw, 27 tries. Malcolm Marx also sits on that 27-try mark, and the great Kieran Read, 26.

“It’s a pretty illustrious list when you look at those guys. Not bad company.”

HANSEN: All Blacks not in the hunt up front

Donald shifted the spotlight to Marx, whose second-half maul try had helped push the Boks to a 29-24 win and 2-1 series lead heading into this week’s Baltimore clash.

“It’s a wonderful list and I was going to ask you where Marx was. He’s often at the back of the all-powerful mauls from the Boks too. He was phenomenal.”

Stanway agreed but reckoned the Bok hooker’s influence went beyond the try itself.

“It wasn’t just what he was doing around the field. It’s the swagger that Malcolm Marx has got about him.

“You love a Henry Pollock character but he [Marx] doesn’t seem arrogant or anything like that … just to give a salute, the two taps on the ground. He was up for that Test, Beav.”

ALSO: All Blacks coach tired of the same story

Donald picked up on the needle built up over the last three Tests, before turning to Marx’s role at the breakdown.

“There’s plenty of spice there at the moment … your memory doesn’t exactly allow you to forget what happened six days earlier or some of the contests that you’ve had with each other.

“When he gets over the ball, you’re just waiting for the arm to go out from the referee … You’re not going to shift him if you’re not there early. Once he gets locked on the ball, it’s all over.”

EX-ALL BLACKS: Boks thrive on pressure

Stanway also needed no convincing of South Africa’s set-piece superiority.

“We’ve got to give them their flowers,” she noted.

“They are a super impressive outfit and whether you like scrums or not, scrums have been talked about heavily over the last three weeks.

“And when the Boks do it and demolish someone, it’s so impressive.”

42 wins in 49 Tests: These Springboks are simply relentless

A half-joking Donald added: “I like watching it – if it just doesn’t happen to be against guys wearing black jerseys.”

Photo: Floris van Schouwenburg/Gallo Images

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