Five things we learned from the third RSAvNZL Test

The Springboks take a 2-1 lead in the four match Greatest Rivalry series after a thrilling win in Soweto. This was the first time they have beaten the All Blacks at this venue after suffering two losses in the previous two encounters. With the series finale being played in Baltimore next Saturday we take a look at five things we learnt from the game.

The Springboks love to scrum:

This is nothing new but the discourse over the last few weeks has shone a light on the set piece and Springbok scrum coach, Daan Human, was sent to do media earlier in the week and treated the complaints with disdain. After that you just knew something was cooking and the Springboks unleashed everything on the New Zealand scrum and dominated. the pack took it personally and to add insult to injury the South Africans scored off the back of an amazing long range maul too.

Manie Libbok must play:

Last week Manie Libbok got 40 minutes but it was almost exclusively on a defensive exercise which he showed up well in, this week he was yet again good on defence but also got involved on attack and the South African backs got into a great rythum with him at the helm. You feel he is a certain for the Springbok 23 and has also earned the chance to start a few more games.

The Midfield:

The midfield head to head was something incredible to watch but the third test showed how incredibly good Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel are individually but also as a team. They further reinforced why many see them as the best midfield playin at the moment.

Depth:

The Depth conversation is an interesting one with both sides on the opposite end of the scale here, while the Springboks have multiple players (possibly teams) they could unleash next week, Dave Rennie has been left trying to manage players in the third test with a look ahead to the Baltimore game with an incresing injury list and a few players struggling with form.

Momentum:

Rassie Erasmus again has managed to get his team in the right spot at the right time to bring home a 3-1 win. He has wrestled momentum out of the hands of the All Blacks and firmly stamped his mark on the series with the way things have unfolded for the Springboks putting them in the best possible position to wrap it up in Baltimore next week. They have settled into their identity and cleaned up silly errors while building continuity along the way.