Erasmus credits Arendse's second-half surge as pivotal in Springboks' 43-28 rout of All Blacks

Rassie Erasmus identified Kurt-Lee Arendse’s explosive second-half running as the decisive factor in South Africa’s 43-28 victory over New Zealand at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, the fourth Test of what rugby bills as its greatest rivalry. The world number one Springboks powered clear of the All Blacks in a match that drew a capacity crowd to the American venue.

Erasmus was direct in his post-match assessment, pointing to the moment Arendse crossed for a try as the game’s hinge point. “I think when Kurt Lee started burning guys… I thought when he scored that try, I thought it was pivotal,” the head coach said. “I thought the game was totally anybody’s game. Sometimes a guy like Cheslin Kolbe could change it, and today the team did it. But I thought Kurt Lee especially.”

The winger had, by Erasmus’ own account, been working through a difficult personal stretch. “Kurt Lee himself admitted he was going through a bit of a mental dip and a physical dip, and had concussions and stuff,” Erasmus noted, making Arendse’s impact all the more significant. The 26-year-old repeatedly forced All Blacks defenders into tackles facing their own dead-ball line, repeatedly shifting the territorial balance in South Africa’s favour.

Captain Siya Kolisi used the post-match platform to reflect on the cultural and philosophical shift Erasmus has engineered since taking charge. “Coach came, and he had a plan on how to change things going forward. I think our mentality at the time wasn’t in a good place, and he reminded us how important this team is,” Kolisi said.

Kolisi also spoke to the unique makeup of the squad, describing how Erasmus unified a diverse group. “He made a group of South Africans from different parts of life, all focused on one. We speak 11 languages in our team. Our main focus was to make the Springboks proud and make the people of South Africa proud.”

The captain was equally candid about the standards the squad is setting for itself going forward. “We’re trying to improve and get better, and we’re working on our own internal standards in the group, so we can keep on improving because we can’t be satisfied and stay the same. Because then everybody is going to catch up to us.”

Kolisi also welcomed the prospect of more Tests being staged in the United States, pointing to the reception the game received in Baltimore. “I think it’s a game that Americans would actually enjoy. They love physical sports,” he said, adding that the atmosphere generated by both South African and New Zealand supporters made a strong case for a return.