South Africa defeated New Zealand for the second consecutive weekend, moving 2-1 ahead in the four-match series dubbed “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.” However, Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus believes there is still very little separating the world’s top two-ranked sides.

South Africa’s 29-24 victory at Soccer City on Saturday gave the world champions the advantage in the series, but the All Blacks still have an opportunity to level the contest when the final Test takes place in Baltimore, United States, next weekend.

“I thought it was an epic game,” Erasmus told reporters after the match. “It was intense, a fierce battle in all departments, and I think the scoreboard at the end showed just how close the game was.”

“We’re just happy that we won, and now we have to try to replicate that performance in Baltimore.”

Once again, South Africa’s forward power proved crucial, just as it had in the previous Test in Cape Town. Despite that physical advantage, however, the Springboks were pushed all the way by a determined New Zealand side.

Erasmus praised the All Blacks’ ability to control possession and create problems with their attacking style.

“The way New Zealand handle the ball is certainly brilliant, and they play to their strengths. It is a style that is difficult to defend against,” he said.

“We were certainly nervous, and I think they were nervous too. You’re playing against number one and number two in the world, and this series certainly lives up to that.”

The South African coach was also quick to play down his side’s dominance, admitting that some luck had gone their way.

“We’re not sitting here thinking we are all awesome. We’re thinking there was also a lot of luck that went our way.”

The Springboks will now face a selection headache ahead of the trip to the United States, with Cheslin Kolbe ruled out after suffering a broken jaw during the first half. The speedy winger is also South Africa’s first-choice kicker.

The All Blacks’ first full tour of South Africa since 1996 has lived up to its billing as the “Greatest Rivalry” series. With the series still alive, the final Test will decide not only the bragging rights but could also have major implications for the World Rugby world rankings.

The rivalry has been defined by a contrast between South Africa’s physical strength and New Zealand’s pace and handling skills, but Erasmus insisted the scrum battle was much closer than the final result might suggest.

“I don’t think we were dominant at scrum time today. I thought it was pretty even, and it could easily have gone against us,” the Springboks coach said.

“We love our set-piece and we love scrumming, but we love mauling just as much. It’s not really a South African thing to obsess over the scrum.”

“There were scrums tonight where we were under real pressure, and we were relieved when they got the ball away rather than resetting again and again.”