MOMENTS THAT MATTERED: How the Boks were crowned champions

The Springboks had been given plenty to think about after the first three tests of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series. Over the course of a month, their defence had been placed under relentless pressure as New Zealand repeatedly found space where none seemed to exist.

But the Boks arrived in Baltimore with answers.

On Saturday there were more early warning signs, but this time the Boks were ready to respond. They absorbed an extraordinary All Black assault, exploited the scars left by their maul in Soweto and then turned the finest of margins into the moment that decided the match.

These were the five moments that mattered.

1. EARLY RED FLAGS

It took New Zealand less than eight minutes to revive all the questions surrounding the Springbok defence.

The All Blacks found space down the left touchline and Cody Taylor finished an opening try that came with alarming ease.

The NFL specification field was narrower than a normal international pitch. Space should have been at a premium, yet New Zealand had found plenty of it.

After three tests in which the Bok defence had repeatedly come under pressure, the warning signs were flashing again.

2. KRAPPIES CRASHES THE PARTY

The Springboks had driven the All Blacks nearly 20 metres for a maul try in Soweto.

This time New Zealand were ready. Perhaps too ready.

As the Bok maul advanced, the All Blacks committed extra numbers to stopping it. Cam Roigard guarded the blindside, leaving lock Sam Darry to deal with Morné van den Berg while still partly attached to the maul.

Darry rushed up, Krappies stepped inside him and darted over. The maul had not produced the try, but the scars it left in Soweto had helped create it.

3. HARD SLOG

Will Jordan eventually crossed next to the left upright with the kind of finish that has become his trademark.

The bigger story was how long it took New Zealand to put him there.

The All Blacks spent 33 phases inside the Springbok 22 before finally breaking through. They had scored, but they had been forced to expend an extraordinary amount of energy for seven points.

The early fears about the Bok defence had been answered. New Zealand had their try, but the Springboks had made them suffer for it.

4. THE FINEST OF MARGINS

Damian McKenzie’s linebreak appeared to have opened the Springboks up.

All he needed was to connect with Josh Moorby on his inside, but Moorby’s foot caught Cameron Hanekom’s shin before he went down under a tackle that appeared fractionally early.

Referee Karl Dickson and his TMO examined every available angle. There was not enough evidence to rule either the contact or the tackle a penalizable offence.

It was a brutal outcome for New Zealand. Play continued, Moorby remained on the ground protesting and the entire complexion of the match changed within seconds.

5. FINISH AND KLA

Kurt-Lee Arendse had been a thorn in the All Blacks’ side all match.

His fleet feet and lightning steps had repeatedly opened them up down the right. When Moorby spilled the ball and New Zealand were unable to reset their defensive line, Mr Rocket Shoes saw one more opening.

Arendse collected the loose ball, burst through the first gap and found only three defenders waiting. He ran directly at the burly Tupou Vaa’i, stepped him with ease and raced through untouched.

What might have become an All Black try had turned into seven Springbok points at the other end. The potential 14 point swing made it 37 to 21 with less than eight minutes remaining.

Arendse had finished it. And the Series as a contest was KLA.