The Springboks have their trophy, their swagger and their world No 1 crown intact.
Now Damian Willemse believes they have something even more dangerous heading into the rest of 2026: belief.
The Boks put the All Blacks through the wringer in Baltimore on Saturday, hammering New Zealand 43-28 at M&T Bank Stadium to seal Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry 3-1.
It was the biggest winning margin of the four-Test series and another heavyweight statement from Rassie Erasmus’ world champions.
For Willemse, who returned at fullback after missing the third Test with a hamstring injury, the victory was proof that the Boks can take a punch, regroup and come roaring back.
“We expected a tough game against New Zealand; being 2-1 down, they wanted to fire us up and draw this series,” the 28-year-old said.
“How we reacted after half-time when they scored that try, we stuck to our guns, made plans. I’m proud of everyone in the team.
“We’re super stoked and happy with the series win. This really means a lot to all of us.”
BELIEF BLOWS UP IN BALTIMORE! 🇿🇦
The @Springboks didn’t merely win Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry. They walked away with a 3-1 series triumph, a 43-28 statement victory and a fresh injection of belief. @DamianGaza10 says that confidence could fuel the Springboks for the rest of 2026.… pic.twitter.com/SVjXiBdLHW— Adnaan Mohamed (@Adnaan1111) September 14, 2026
The Boks went into the halftime sheds leading 17-14, but New Zealand came out swinging after the break.
South Africa absorbed the pressure, stuck to their blueprint and eventually blew the contest wide open.
Willemse says the turnaround began after the painful 33-16 defeat at Ellis Park in the series opener.
“After the first Test, taking that loss, there were parts of our game that we had to work on,” he said.
“We got momentum and opportunities which we didn’t finish and as the series went along, we got better.
“The attack wasn’t really there; the breakdown was a bit of a shambles … certain areas of our game that we had to work hard on.”
That frank assessment tells its own story.
The Boks were far from a finished product when the series began. They tinkered, tightened the screws and gradually turned a shaky machine into a rugby wrecking ball.
“Credit to the coaching staff and how they came up with plans and solutions and got us going again and gave us belief,” Willemse said.
“For a lot of the guys, this is the first big series for them. We’ll take a lot of positives and confidence from this and we’ll just keep on growing and building our game.”
Willemse’s own medal collection is becoming the envy of many a rugby veteran.
The latest Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry winner’s medal now sits alongside his World Cup, Rugby Championship and British & Irish Lions series honours.
But for the classy utility back, wearing the green and gold remains bigger than personal glory.
“Whenever you run out to represent the Springboks and you’ve got the Springbok on your heart, you want to go out there and make everyone proud.
“This doesn’t only belong to us, it belongs to South Africa as well.”
The Boks now get a week’s breather before their next assignment against the Wallabies in Perth on Sunday, September 27.
The All Blacks came looking for revenge. They left Baltimore with a bloody nose and the Boks marching on.
