South Africa have put the final Test of their four match series with New Zealand in a very different light. Their 29-24 win in Soweto gives them a 2-1 lead and leaves the All Blacks needing a result in Baltimore to prevent the Springboks taking the series.
Power told when it mattered
The match was level at 12-12 at half-time. New Zealand moved 17-12 ahead in the 55th minute through Will Jordan, but South Africa answered through Jesse Kriel before a Malcolm Marx maul try gave the home side control.
South Africa matched New Zealand for four tries. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu also added seven points after Cheslin Kolbe went off injured.
The decisive theme was familiar, but no less effective for that. When the game tightened, South Africa had a scrum and maul platform that New Zealand could not quite match. A penalty try from the scrum had already kept the Springboks level at the break.
Baltimore has a proper edge
The fourth Test is at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on 12 September. It now has a clear job: New Zealand can square the series, while South Africa can turn a hard-fought recovery from the opening defeat into a series win.
Rassie Erasmus was right to resist any talk of a completed job after the final whistle. South Africa have earned the advantage. They have not earned the last word.
Reporting: SA Rugby, AP, BBC Sport