FNB Stadium Buzz: Springboks-All Blacks Showdown Insights & Airlink Flyover Scrapped

The highly anticipated clash between the Springboks and the All Blacks is set to take place this Saturday at FNB Stadium, with nearly 88,000 fans expected to fill the iconic venue. This marks a significant return for the Springboks to FNB Stadium, where they last played on 6 October 2012. That previous encounter saw the All Blacks claim a comprehensive 32-16 victory. Much has changed since then, with Eben Etzebeth, then a 20-year-old lock in his eighth Test, being the sole Springbok player from that 2012 lineup still in the mix for the upcoming match. The 2012 Springbok team featured: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Francois Hougaard, 13 Jaco Taute, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Tendai Mtawarira. Subs: 16 Tiaan Liebenberg, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Marcell Coetzee, 20 Elton Jantjies, 21 Pat Lambie, 22 Juan de Jongh.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has opted for continuity in selection for this third Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry. The team features only four changes and one positional switch from the previous match. The front row sees the return of Ox Nche, Wilco Louw (both props), and Malcolm Marx (hooker) to the starting lineup. Consequently, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, and Deon Fourie will move to the replacements bench. An injury to versatile back Damian Willemse has led to Cheslin Kolbe switching to fullback and Kurt-Lee Arendse being drafted onto the wing in the starting team. The current Springbok starting lineup for Saturday's match, which kicks off at 17:10, is: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nché. The reserves include: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 André Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Morne van den Berg, 23 Manie Libbok.

The current Springbok starting line-up boasts a significant amount of experience, with a total of 958 Test caps – 366 in the backline and 592 among the forwards. The players on the bench contribute a further 222 caps. On average, backline players have 52 caps, forwards 74, and bench players 28. Several players are set to achieve significant milestones: Eben Etzebeth will extend his record as the most capped Springbok player of all time to 145 caps. The loose trio of Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Jasper Wiese will surpass the record they currently share with Francois Louw, Willem Alberts, and Duane Vermeulen, marking their 17th Test start together. Should he take the field, Deon Fourie will further extend his record as the oldest Springbok player to feature in a Test match at 39 years. Jasper Wiese is also nearing a significant achievement, requiring just two more Test appearances to reach 50 caps.

Coach Erasmus expressed his excitement for the occasion, noting that the FNB Stadium's 80,000-strong crowd will offer a new and thrilling experience for most of his players. He anticipates a passionate crowd and a deafening atmosphere, making communication challenging on the field. Despite the excitement, Erasmus emphasized the intensity of the upcoming battle, calling it another fierce encounter between the world's top two teams, both vying for an edge in the series. He expects the All Blacks to come out firing, similar to how a team responds after a galvanizing result, especially after the Springboks' recent 33-26 victory. Erasmus highlighted that both teams are now in