With South Africa holding the advantage in the four-match series, the Springboks know New Zealand will be desperate to fight back and force a draw. For Kolisi, however, the biggest motivation is to leave the field knowing they have made their supporters proud.

“We definitely want to win the series,” said Kolisi.

“We don’t want to draw it, and that has been our mindset this week.”

The Springboks have also had to prepare for a significantly changed All Blacks line-up, with several new faces brought into the New Zealand team and Richie Mo’unga returning at flyhalf.

Kolisi believes South Africa will need to be physically dominant while remaining flexible enough to adapt to whatever New Zealand throws at them.

“The key thing for us will be to make sure we enforce our game on them, and pitch up physically on the day,” he said.

The stakes are particularly high in what has been an extraordinary series between two of rugby’s traditional heavyweights. Kolisi described facing the All Blacks four times in succession as an experience comparable to playing in four World Cup finals.

The Haka - Johan Orton

“In my experience, it doesn’t get tougher than this,” he said.

“It’s like playing four Rugby World Cup finals in as many weeks given the quality of both teams.”

Saturday’s Test will also be a significant occasion for Springbok head coach and Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus, who will reach 100 Tests in his two leadership roles with the national team since joining the set-up in 2018.

Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said the return of Mo’unga was expected and believes the All Blacks could pose an even greater attacking threat with their experienced flyhalf directing proceedings.

“Richie is world class and we know him well,” said Stick. “I think the All Blacks are going to be even more bold tomorrow when it comes to keeping the ball alive and using the wide channels.”

Stick echoed Kolisi’s belief that the Springboks must impose themselves physically if they are to secure the series.

“They have a top-class team, and they’re desperate to level the series. But we are also a passionate nation and we want to make our country proud.”

For Kolisi, the noise surrounding such a high-profile clash matters less than what happens inside the Springbok camp.

Jasper Wiese - Johan Orton 

“Our system isn’t rigid,” he explained. “We can play set-piece rugby and a kicking game. We don’t have a system that says we have to play a certain way. It’s one that creates opportunities for us to play.”

The Springboks have also received a tremendous welcome from South African supporters in Baltimore, with many travelling from across the United States to be part of the occasion.

Stick said the sea of green and gold had added to the excitement around the match.

Pieter-Steph du Toit - Johan Orton

“Everywhere you go around the hotel you see green and gold and people are proud to see us, so we want to make sure we represent them and put up a good show.”

Stick even managed to experience a slice of American sporting culture this week when he attended a baseball game.

“I went to watch a baseball game, so I managed to tick off a bucket list item,” he said.

Saturday’s Test in Baltimore kicks off at 23:00.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport