San Francisco Frontiers - Former captain De Villiers hails 'fantastic' Springboks

The Springboks outscored the All Blacks by six tries to four in American city Baltimore on Saturday to complete a 3-1 triumph in the four-Test 'Greatest Rivalry' showdown.

"This success will live long in the memory. We must celebrate how we recovered from losing the first Test to win three in a row," De Villiers told SuperSport TV.

Fellow former South Africa skippers Victor Matfield and Schalk Burger and ex wing Breyton Paulse also hailed the reigning Rugby World Cup champions and top ranked team.

"This team has an incredible ability to turn things around. We were trailing in the series just a few weeks ago and now we are jubilant," said Matfield.

"A key factor was the aerial battle. I was worried about that aspect of the game before the series, but we grew stronger as the series developed.

"We must also salute (head coach) Rassie Erasmus. He did not panic after the first Test loss. He said then that we could still win the series."

Burger, a flanker who led the Springboks 11 years ago when centre De Villiers and lock Matfield were unavailable, said the men in green and gold "always find a way (to win)".

"I was a little concerned that we built only a three-point lead by half-time. We made six entries into the All Blacks 22 and scored just two tries.

- 'Amazing' -

"But the second half was a different story. We dominated the aerial battle and I thought (wing) Kurt-Lee Arendse was outstanding.

"It was also tremendous to see so much green (South African supporters) in an American stadium. This augurs well for the 2031 World Cup in the USA.

Paulse also highlighted how virtually every aerial contest in Baltimore was won by South Africa.

"This is the result of many hours of extra work at the training grounds. A decade ago we really battled in this facet of the game.

"Kurt-Lee (Arendse) is not a tall player, yet he won numerous aerial duels. That is amazing, truly amazing.

"Looking at the whole series, (hooker) Malcolm Marx gets my vote as the outstanding player. His strength, his skill, his commitment. What a Springbok."

After four intense, bruising battles with second ranked New Zealand, South Africa return to action on September 29 against 2027 World Cup hosts Australia in Perth.

Erasmus has hinted that Springboks who did not face the All Blacks, including fly-half Handre Pollard and lock/loose forward Franco Mostert, will feature against the Wallabies.

In November, they are away to Italy, France and Ireland in the second half of the Nations Championship league phase.

After facing the Irish in Dublin on November 21, the Springboks travel to London for a three-day finals series the following weekend.

Winning in Baltimore gave South Africa a 7-1 Tests record this year. Before tackling New Zealand, they beat England, Scotland and Wales in the Nations Championship and Argentina.

R.Baker--SFF