New Zealand’s All Blacks can be seeking to consolidate high spot within the Rugby Championship as they host defending champions South Africa in Wellington on Saturday.
The Kiwis beat Rassie Erasmus’s Springboks 24-17 at Eden Park final weekend and can be seeking to repeat that feat and depart South Africa with a mountain to climb.
The Boks have solely received considered one of their first three video games, having misplaced their first in Johannesburg towards Australia, and bounced again within the Cape City rematch.
They maintain third place above Argentina solely on tries scored (eight to Los Pumas’ seven, whereas each have 5 factors and a -15 factors differential). In the meantime, the All Blacks are some extent away from the Wallabies on the high of the standings with 10.
One other win for New Zealand would depart the Springboks depending on different outcomes forward of their double-header with Argentina of their final two video games of the match. Even for the comeback kings, the percentages of restoration could be slim.
If the Springboks win in Wellington, nonetheless, then their hopes of a profitable title defence will nonetheless very a lot be alive.
There may be speedy silverware on the road, too, as a result of the winner of this recreation will clinch the Freedom Cup. At present, South Africa maintain it after beating the All Blacks back-to-back final 12 months. Subsequently, they’ll retain the sequence in the event that they win this recreation, leaving this 12 months’s encounters set at one win apiece.
Key particulars:
Date: Saturday, September 13 at 9:05 AM CAT (7:05 AM GMT, 7:05 PM Wellington time)
Venue: Sky Stadium (Wellington Regional Stadium)
Find out how to watch: The match is offered on SuperSport.
Crew Information:
Rassie Erasmus has named an virtually totally modified backline from final weekend’s defeat. Cobus Reinach begins at scrumhalf, changing Grant Williams. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will get the nod at flyhalf after Handrè Pollard began final week.
Cheslin Kolbe is retained on the wing, however paired up with Ethan Hooker moderately than Canan Moodie, who strikes to centre alongside Damian Willemse. Aphelele Fassi begins at fullback after Willie le Roux obtained the nod final week.
Within the ahead pack, Jasper Wiese begins at no.8, whereas Siya Kolisi strikes again to blindside flanker. Pieter-Steph du Toit completes the again row. At lock, Lood de Jager begins rather than Eben Etzebeth, however Erasmus has chosen an unchanged entrance row of Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit.
On the bench, the Springboks have a 5-3 cut up, with scrumhalf Williams joined by flyhalf Manie Libbok and centre Andre Esterhuizen because the three backs.
Scott Robertson has turned to his ninth debutant of the 12 months with sevens star Leroy Carter named to earn his first All Blacks cap when he begins on the wing. Carter has been given the nod forward of skilled Take a look at star Rieko Ioane who’s the second wing to be put to the sword in as many weeks.
In the meantime, Will Jordan has been pushed to the precise wing to cowl the injured Emoni Narawa with Damian McKenzie shifting to fullback, opening bench house for Rueben Love.
Springboks workforce:
Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Canan Moodie, Damian Willemse, Ethan Hooker, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach, Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Ruan Nortje, Lood de Jager, Thomas du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche
Replacements: Marnus van der Merwe, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Andre Esterhuizen
All Blacks workforce: Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Leroy Carter, Beauden Barrett, Noah Hotham, Wallace Sititi, Ardie Savea, Simon Parker, Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett, Tyrel Lomax, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ethan de Groot
Replacements: Brodie McAlister, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Fabian Holland, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Finlay Christie, Quinn Tupaea, Ruben Love
Stats:
Rassie Erasmus has received one and drawn considered one of his two Checks at Wellington’s Sky Stadium as Springboks head coach. The final time the groups met at this venue was in 2019 in a 16-16 draw. Beforehand, South Africa received 36-34 in 2018.
Siya Kolisi will play his 96th Take a look at match, leaving him solely 4 matches wanting changing into the ninth Springbok centurion. Will probably be his sixty fourth Take a look at as captain.
Further reporting by ESPN Australia.
