Rugby Rivalry Heats Up: Springboks vs All Blacks Showdown Looms
The Springboks host the All Blacks in a pivotal second Test in Cape Town, seeking to level the 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Series' after their opening loss. Both teams have made significant changes, with Springbok Siya Kolisi returning and the All Blacks making injury-forced adjustments, while Angus Gardner steps in as the new referee. The clash at Cape Town Stadium will be a test of resilience and strategy for both sides.
The second Test of the 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Series' between the Springboks and the All Blacks is set to kick off at 17:10 on Saturday, August 29, at the Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town. Following a 33-16 victory for the All Blacks in the first Test in Johannesburg, the Springboks are under immense pressure to secure a win on home soil to keep their series hopes alive. A second defeat would mean the team could only draw the four-match series, triggering serious concerns for Rassie Erasmus's side. The series will continue at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on September 5 and conclude in Baltimore, United States, seven days later.
New Zealand's head coach, Dave Rennie, has made three personnel changes and one positional switch for the crucial encounter. Among the forwards, loosehead prop Ethan de Groot and lock Josh Lord are ruled out due to concussions sustained while attempting to halt Springboks No. 8 Jasper Wiese in the first Test. George Bower comes in at prop for De Groot, while Tupou Vaa’i moves from the back row to lock, replacing Lord. Simon Parker is promoted from the bench to take Vaa’i's place in the back row. In the backs, Josh Moorby, a try-scorer in the first Test, moves to the bench (jersey 23) as outside back cover, with Leroy Carter stepping into the starting wing position (jersey 11). Prop Xavier Numia and lock Patrick Tuipulotu have also been added to the bench. Rennie expressed confidence, stating, "While we were happy with the win last week, I think both teams will be better this weekend." He boasts an impressive record against South Africa, having coached Australia to three victories in four Tests against the Springboks prior to the current series.
For the Springboks, the availability of captain Siya Kolisi provides a significant boost to the team. The coaching staff has made a number of changes, including backing Handre Pollard at flyhalf. The South African team enters the match with their highest-ever fielded starting lineup in terms of total Test caps, amassing 1012 caps (428 in the backline, 584 among the forwards). The bench adds a further 204 caps to the squad's experience.
A late change to the match officiating team has been confirmed by World Rugby. Georgian referee Nika Amashukeli, originally appointed, has been ruled out due to illness. Australia's Angus Gardner will now officiate the match as referee. He will be supported by Assistant referee 1 Karl Dickson (England), Assistant referee 2 Sam Grove-White (Scotland), TMO Brett Cronan (Australia), and Foul Play Review Officer Eric Gauzins (France).
The full teams for Saturday’s Test are as follows:
South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Morne van den Berg, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower. Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Josh Moorby.
The Springboks have a strong record at Cape Town Stadium, having played six international matches there since 2021 with only one loss (a 22-17 defeat against the British & Irish Lions in July 2021). Notable victories include two other wins against the Lions, a 30-14 triumph over Wales in 2022, and an 18-12 win against New Zealand in the 2024 Rugby Championship. Saturday's game will be only the second meeting between the two rivals at this venue. Historically, at the former Newlands Stadium in Cape Town, the All Blacks held a superior record, winning seven of their ten matches against the Springboks since 1928.
Several Springbok milestones are expected during this Test. Pieter-Steph du Toit is set to earn his 100th Test cap, becoming the 11th player in Springbok history to achieve this feat, following Damian de Allende who reached the milestone last weekend. Prop Ox Nche will join the exclusive club of players with 50 Tests, while Eben Etzebeth will extend his record as the most capped Springbok to 144 caps. If Deon Fourie takes the field, he will become the oldest Springbok Test player at 39 years old, surpassing Victor Matfield and Schalk Brits. This marks Fourie’s first appearance since the Rugby World Cup final against the All Blacks, which South Africa won 12-11. The Springboks have won five of the last seven matches between the teams dating back to August 2023, showcasing their recent competitive edge. Their overall record against New Zealand stands at 111 matches played, 43 wins, 64 losses, and 4 draws, with a 37.7% win rate. This series also marks the first time since 1996 that the All Blacks have embarked on a traditional rugby tour to South Africa.