The Springboks secured victories in the preceding matches in Cape Town and Joburg following New Zealand's initial win at Ellis Park. However, Lienert-Brown maintains that the All Blacks are close contenders against the reigning world champions. He reflected on the series, noting the narrow nature of the contests.
"We can all see it comes down to small margins. In the last two Tests they’ve had the rub of the green at that; they’ll probably say the same thing about Ellis Park,"
Lienert-Brown highlighted the strong start to their tour in South Africa, marked by an unbeaten streak across five matches against top local clubs, buoying the team's morale under new coach Dave Rennie's leadership. Yet, despite the early successes, the center acknowledged the recent challenges.
His experience in South Africa was marked by warm interactions, despite the fierce competition on the field. Lienert-Brown shared his personal takeaways from the tour.
"My experience with South African people and my time in South Africa is that they’re awesome people," he said. "Even though you want to go out there and beat them, off the field they’re great humans."
The veteran was also reflective on the broader impact of international tours such as this one. Despite his lengthy tenure with the All Blacks, this tour stands out as a memorable experience.
"It’s certainly one of the coolest things I’ve experienced as an All Black. It’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life."
As the All Blacks gear up for the decisive match, the focus is intensely set on small but crucial details that might determine the outcome. Both teams enter the fray with history, pride, and high stakes driving them forward, promising a clash that will be remembered for years to come.
