The Springboks must claim victory over the All Blacks in Cape Town this weekend in order to keep their hopes alive of winning Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Series.
After a heavy loss at Ellis Park, another defeat would not only set off serious alarm bells for the Springboks, but it would mean the team could only draw the four-match series.
Rassie Erasmus’ side have been boosted by the availability of Siya Kolisi, while the coaching staff have a number of changes to the team from last weekend, which includes backing Handre Pollard at flyhalf.
Meanwhile, for the All Blacks, prop George Bower comes in for Ethan de Groot who is still undergoing HIA protocols, together with lock Josh Lord. Tupou Vaa’i moves to the second row, replacing Lord, with Simon Parker in the No 6 jersey.
In the backs, there is just one positional switch from last week’s team, with Leroy Carter and Josh Moorby swapping positions. Carter starts in the 11 jersey and Moorby is outside back cover in the 23 jersey.
There has also been a late change to the match referee as Nika Amashukeli has been ruled out with illness. Angus Gardner (Australia) will now officiate this weekend’s clash.
Saturday’s Test will kick off at 17:10.
HERE IS EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW AS THE SPRINGBOKS TACKLE THE ALL BLACKS AGAIN
SPRINGBOKS – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Handré Pollard, 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.
Subs: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 André Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Morné van den Berg, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
ALL BLACKS – 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (c), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower.
Subs: 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.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referee 1: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referee 2: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (France)
Stats and facts:
Springbok record against New Zealand:
Played: 111, Won: 43, Lost: 64, Drawn: 4. Points for: 1 866; Points against: 2 302; Tries scored: 182; Tries conceded: 253. Win %: 37,7%.
Miscellaneous:
