Morne Steyn was the hero for South Africa as, just like in 2009, his penalty proved decisive in a 19-16 series-clinching win over the British and Irish Lions.
Here is how we rated the tourists in the final test.
Liam Williams - 6
Willingness to counterattack was evident but just wasn't afforded the space by the Springboks. He was excellent under the high ball, particularly his catch over the head in the first half. Out done by the brilliance of Kolbe but really could have done better there,.
Josh Adams - 6
Made some excellent takes under the high ball and some nice touches with ball in hand. Russell looked to put him in space but didn't quite get into enough space.
Robbie Henshaw - 8
A massive carry into the heart of the Springbok defence resulted in a penalty that leveled the scores at 16 all. Defensively he was sound too and had bright moments throughout the game.
Bundee Aki - 7
The kind of grunt missing in the midfield in the first two tests. He was excellent on either side of the ball and probably should have played all three tests.
Duhan van der Merwe - 6
Stuck a few tackles well and carried hard to the line with a notably impact around the half hour mark. Not solid otherwise without being fantastic.
Dan Biggar - n/a
Missed his first short at goal and lasted just 10 minutes before he was forced off with an injury. Didn't play long enough for a fair rating.
Ali Price - 6
A first good box kick ended with a Lions penalty. He kicked solidly before being charged down by Etzebeth and started to run out of gas leading to errors.
Wyn Jones - 6
Was solid in the set pieces in the early stages but Malherbe managed to work a penalty out of him before he was replaced in the second half. Busy around the park and showed what he could have brought to the first two tests.
Ken Owens - 7
Carried strongly and was just as impactful on defence. He took his try well and hit his jumpers at the lineout.
Tadhg Furlong - 6
Won a big penalty on Steven Kitshoff early in the first half in an epic clash between the pair who traded blows. Didn't get any carries to punch into the Springbok defence but stuck his tackles.
Maro Itoje - 7
Hit and miss for Itoje in the decider as his game was filled with moments where he came up with a great steal or penalty while also being penalised. Impactful all over the pitch and managed to reclaim possession at key times including the restart when the Lions chased a winner.
Alun Wyn Jones - 6
Never stopped piling into the Springboks until he was pulled from the pitch. Threw his weight into just about everything but may well roe some of his decisions to not take the points. Solid overall.
Courtney Lawes - 6
Grafted through his entire game leaving everything out on the pitch. Some good lineout work and carried strongly. The Boks managed to limit his impact but busy nonetheless.
Tom Curry - 5
Conceded a maul penalty on the half-hour mark with the Lions driving towards the line. Won a penalty right after the Springboks slotted a three-pointer. His errors outweighed the good he did, which can happen with the style of player he is.
Jack Conan - 6
Physical in everything he did with hard hits and carries but was outdone by Le Roux in the build up to Kolbe's try. Solid before being replaced.
Replacements:
Luke Cowan-Dickie - 6
Brushed off too easily for Kolbe to score but was effective on defence and had some good carries.
Mako Vunipola - 5
Battled hard at the scrum after conceding a penalty but the Boks got the upper hand in the latter stages against him.
Kyle Sinckler - 6
Won a penalty shortly after coming on and managed to get the Lions over the advantage line with his carries. Penalised in the final scrums which handed the Boks the win.
Adam Beard - 5
Little impact replacing Alun Wyn Jones.
Sam Simmonds - 6
Managed good metres from his carries.
Connor Murray - 6
Looked level headed throughout with swift service and kicking. Bold moves to kick to touch may have come off on another day.
Finn Russell - 8
The Lions looked to break through the Bok defence far more often than they did throughout the first two tests with Russell running the attack.
Landed his shots at goal and kicked well out of hand. One of the Lions' best in the decider.
Elliot Daly - n/a
Didn't get on.
