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All Blacks player ratings vs Springboks | 4th Test Rugby's Greatest Rivalry 2026
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Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry 2026 tour has come to a close at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, where the Springboks have clinched the series 3-1, beating the All Blacks 43-28.
The contest was thrilling, physical, and energy-sapping. The Springboks led for large parts of the game, and despite an All Blacks comeback, Rassie Erasmus’ side earned their victory.
Here’s how the All Blacks players rated in the fourth and final Test match of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
VIDEO
1. Ethan de Groot – 5
Apart from Codie Taylor’s break foot problems, the All Blacks scrum was strong in the first half. De Groot was pinged for his knee going to the ground before leaving the field in the 49th minute. Had four carries and six tackles.
2. Codie Taylor – 5.5
Mixed outing. Two pinpoint throws to start in Baltimore, before dotting down early off a Roigard bullet pass. Struggled on multiple occasions with his break foot, being penalised by English referee Karl Kickson. Busy around the paddock, making eight tackles and ten carries in the first half. Lineout was less accurate than the week before with Asafo Aumua. Off at 49.
3. Fletcher Newell – 6.5
Did what only a few could on the tour, anchoring the All Blacks scrum effectively. Nullified Ox Nche in the first half and provided the All Blacks with nice footwork at the line. Forced Nche not to scrum square, winning a 40th-minute penalty. Off with the whole front row.
4. Patrick Tuipulotu – 6
Caught offside in the first Springboks attack and had a quiet night. Some important work around the field cleaning rucks and moving bodies, but has lacked the punch with ball in hand on this tour, as we are so used to seeing it from the experienced lock.
5. Sam Darry – 6
Done by a Morné van den Berg dummy, resulting in the Springboks’ second of the night. Part of the All Blacks scrum, which improved, but the lineout, which Darry was the first option for, was at 71 per cent in the first 40 minutes from seven attempts. Off at 57 minutes with four carries and twelve tackles.
6. Tupou Vaa’i – 5.5
Gifted the Springboks three early, catching Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu around the neck. Great breakdown turnover win, even if Mo’unga missed touch. Complete mind blank late in the game, holding onto a Springbok defender past the ruck. Missed five tackles in an ill-disciplined performance.
7. Ethan Blackadder – 8.5
Absolutely everywhere in Baltimore, and the All Blacks’ best. As usual, Blackadder worked tirelessly on defence. His workmanlike first half ended with an inaccurate decision at the breakdown. All Blacks’ high-ten tackles at the break, with eight carries. Not only was his defensive work strong, but his cleanouts when the All Blacks were on attack were superb. Scooped up the ball close to the line, going over to get the All Blacks back in the contest. One error late, but Blackadder was exceptional in Baltimore. Finished with a game-high 21 tackles, although Blackadder did miss five. Eleven carries.
8. Peter Lakai – 7.5
Off in the seventh minute for an HIA, returning in the 18th minute. Lakai had a strong second half, breaking the Springboks line on two occasions. The Hurricanes loose-forward’s skillset is well-rounded and is becoming a key part of the loose-forward trio, no matter which jersey he’s in. Led the All Blacks with 13 carries, despite only playing 69 minutes.
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9. Cam Roigard – 6.5
First action was a quick tap inside the Springboks 22, showcasing the All Blacks’ high tempo. Superb try assist to Taylor, firing it past several All Blacks bodies. Pinpoint kick during the first half that won great territory for his side, but was caught sniping alone on a couple of occasions. Showed great skill to get the All Blacks down the other end, only to be called offside at the previous ruck. Off with ten minutes to play.
10. Richie Mo’unga – 6
The much-talked-about All Blacks first-five followed suit, providing Rennie’s side with an unspectacular but okay outing, as Ruben Love has done. Started the contest accurately, especially with his passing game, helping the All Blacks get on the front foot with the ball in hand under pressure from South African defenders. Just as the All Blacks relieved pressure on their own line, Mo’unga missed touch. Good start to the second half with a covering tackle on Arendse, but an otherwise quiet second 40 minutes.
11. Josh Moorby – 5
When given opportunities with ball in hand, Moorby often cut in and played the high-percentage option. Seemed to have fixed the lingering defensive issues from Test one, but wasn’t tested as much. Was ruled to have dropped a McKenzie pass cold, which resulted in the game-winning try for the Springboks. Need more on both attack and defence.
12. Jordie Barrett – 7
Up there with the best defensive players in the world. Clear intent, like he has done all tour, to put Springboks attackers on the back foot. Came up with a clutch tackle on the 40-minute mark, getting the All Blacks to halftime. Limited time with ball in hand, but Barrett can keep his head held high after a strong tour.
13. Anton Lienert-Brown – 5
Unconvincing. Forced a turnover on Damian De Allende, setting the ball free before dropping a cross-kick out of play. Lienert-Brown then missed a crucial tackle when shooting out of the line in the lead-up to Allende’s try. Also had a couple of poor loose-ball moments.
14. Will Jordan – 7
Much improved during the first half from last week, where Jordan was efficient. Jordan cleared well off the boot, and popped up often in attack. And not for the first time on the tour, Jordan came up with an important breakdown turnover from a Springboks counter-attack. Jordan was on the end of the All Blacks’ 30+ phase attack late in the first half, storming onto a McKenzie short-ball.
15. Damian McKenzie – 6.5
Chanced his arm with a cross-kick, which Lienert-Brown couldn’t take. Looked lost on a kick return, dropped the ball off a fierce Pieter Steph Du-Toit tackle. A couple of great moments, attacking with pace and intent, leading to the All Blacks’ late first-half resurgence with ball in hand. Was moments away from getting the All Blacks back to a one-score margin, but Moorby couldn’t reel in his short pass.
Reserves
16. Asafo Aumua – 6.5
Added strong defence, alongside Numia, highlighted by a one-off tackle on Du Toit. Solid impact, helping the All Blacks get back into the game.
17. Xavier Numia – 6
Great legs tackle on Du Toit, setting the ball free.
18. Tyrel Lomax – 6
Scrum wasn’t an issue while Lomax was on the field.
19. Josh Lord – N/A
20. Wallace Sititi – 7
On early after Lakai’s HIA, adding punch with the ball in hand off his first carry. Re-entered the contest midway through the second half, and had some effective moments. Forced one offload when the All Blacks were hot on attack.
21. Kyle Preston – 6
Tried to get the ball off the base quickly, but the All Blacks’ cleaners couldn’t shake the strong Springboks defenders.
22. Rieko Ioane – 6
Replaced Lienert-Brown on the stroke of halftime. Slow to a cleanout in his first action. Great recovery tackle on Kurt Lee-Arendse, after he over-committed defensively. Quiet on attack.
23. Beauden Barrett – 6.5
Tough time to enter the game, when the All Blacks were under their posts. Made one bad decision, throwing a pass off the ground that led to Cameron Hanekom’s late try. Had one opportunity with ball in hand, taking it, strolling in close to the posts.
