Springboks, All Blacks go to US without Kolbe and Savea after brutal injuries in rugby test series

South Africa and New Zealand are flying to Baltimore to finish their four-test rugby series without injured players Cheslin Kolbe from South Africa and Ardie Savea from New Zealand. The world champions Springboks defeated the All Blacks 29-24, taking a 2-1 lead in the series. Kolbe broke his jaw when he was run over by Luke Jacobson, while Savea possibly dislocated his shoulder in a collision by Jasper Wiese.

Additionally, New Zealand center Quinn Tupaea injured his MCL. Neither team intended to replace the absent players for the final match against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. South Africa's coach Rassie Erasmus expressed satisfaction with their victory, crediting the team's depth and familiarity. New Zealand's coach Dave Rennie believed the gap between the teams was minimal and cited errors as the deciding factor.