‘Something special’: Rassie hails Kurt-Lee magic, knows Boks annoy the world

The Springboks continue to be the envy of international rugby and the gold standard in one of the most competitive eras the sport has seen.

A comprehensive 43-28 win over the All Blacks in Baltimore on Saturday secured the Springboks a 3-1 series victory in the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.

The Springboks were in knockout rugby mode in the series, from losing the first Test 33-16 at Ellis Park to gaining momentum in the battle with a 33-26 win in Cape Town and a first-ever win over the All Blacks at the FNB Stadium, beating them 29-24.

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In the decider, the Springboks were at their very best.

They worked hard, showed their sheer strength in contact and X-factor, and most importantly, they won the big moments in the contest, something they most often do in big games.

Saturday’s game-winning play came in the 70th minute courtesy of winger Kurt-Lee Arendse. When New Zealand had momentum, chasing the game when trailing by eight points, Arendse picked up a loose ball in his own half and sliced through the field to dot down.

In an era where margins are tight, the Springboks have players who put their hands up and deliver clutch moments, and this time around it was Arendse.

“Kurt-Lee admitted he was going through a mental and physical dip with all the concussions and stuff,” said Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus.

“When he scored that try, I thought that was critical; the game was still there for the taking; it was anybody’s game.

“Sometimes a guy like Cheslin Kolbe can change it, and today the whole team did, but I thought Kurt-Lee did something special,” he said.

Finish and KLA