Behind the Fern: Ruahei Demant's flag-bearer moment
Before the All Blacks walked out for the third Test of Castle Double Malt Rugby's Greatest Rivalry at FNB Stadium, it was Black Ferns co-captain Ruahei Demant who carried the New Zealand flag onto the field, an honour that turned a routine pre-match ritual into one of the standout moments of the tour.
Demant is a 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup winner, the 2022 Women's 15s World Rugby Player of the Year, and New Zealand's most-capped Black Ferns captain, having overtaken Fiao'o Faamausili's record of 35 Tests as skipper earlier this year. The gesture landed at a pivotal point in the series, with the All Blacks and Springboks locked at 1-1 and the winner in Johannesburg set to take a 2-1 lead into the fourth and final Test in Baltimore.
Earlier that day, the Black Ferns had made history of their own, beating the Springboks Women 52-20 in the sides' first meeting on South African soil.
Watch: Episode 10 of Behind the Fern
A moment she couldn't quite process
Demant admitted she was left speechless when told the news over breakfast, questioning at first whether she measured up to those who'd carried the flag before her. What settled her, she said, was thinking about what the moment could mean for both the All Blacks and Black Ferns environments, and the rare privilege of standing next to the team before kick-off.
A tough night on the field
The occasion couldn't change the result. South Africa's set piece proved too strong in the second half, and the Springboks ran out 29-24 winners in front of a crowd well over 80,000, taking a 2-1 series lead ahead of the decider in Baltimore. The All Blacks' response, as ever, turned to what came next rather than what had gone wrong.
Watch the episode now
Go behind the scenes with the All Blacks and Black Ferns in South Africa as Rugby's Greatest Rivalry reaches its third Test. From the Black Ferns arriving for their double-header against the Springboks and Lima Sopoaga catching up with the team on safari to Ardie Savea and Wallace Sititi opening up in intimate interviews, follow the teams through another huge week on tour.
Watch the full episode of Behind The Fern now.
