All Blacks prepare for South Africa test
The All Blacks are set to face the Springboks in Johannesburg, with several key players returning to the squad. Cam Roigard, Will Jordan, and Damian McKenzie are all named to start in the upcoming test match. This fixture marks the first test of the Greatest Rivalry Tour.
Ardie Savea will resume captaincy duties for the All Blacks, having been rested for the initial three games of the South African tour. Savea is positioned at No.8, maintaining the loose forward trio from the recent win against Ireland, which includes Luke Jacobson at openside and Tupou Vaa’i at blindside. Codie Taylor is set to play hooker, with Tyrel Lomax and Ethan de Groot as the starting props.
The second row will feature Fabian Holland and Josh Lord, with Vaa’i also providing cover in that position. In the backline, Roigard returns at halfback, alongside Ruben Love at first-five. The midfield will be occupied by Jordie Barrett and Quinn Tupaea.
McKenzie, having recovered from an ankle injury, will start at fullback, with Jordan and Josh Moorby on the wings. The bench will consist of a 5-3 split of forwards and backs, including front rowers Asafo Aumua, George Bower, and Fletcher Newell. Loose forwards Peter Lakai and Anton Segner are also on the bench, alongside midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown, halfback Kyle Preston, and outside back Leroy Carter.
Historical context of the rivalry
The rivalry between the All Blacks and the Springboks has a long history. Former All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick reflected on the 1996 series win in South Africa, describing it as a significant achievement for the team. That series saw the All Blacks secure a 2-1 victory with wins in Durban and Pretoria, before the Springboks won the third match in Johannesburg.
Fitzpatrick considers it a four-test series, noting that the first game in Cape Town, part of the inaugural Tri Nations Series, was crucial for the team’s mental preparation. The 1996 victory marked the first time the All Blacks had won a series in South Africa, ending nearly seven decades of attempts. Previous tours included a drawn series in 1928, a 4-0 loss in 1949, and a 2-1 result with one drawn test in 1960.
The 1970 tour was considered a strong opportunity for the All Blacks in the amateur era, but they ultimately lost 3-1. Fitzpatrick highlighted the 20-year gap between the 1976 tour and the 1996 series, noting that rugby had recently turned professional. He and coach John Hart believed their team might be the last to attempt a tour of South Africa, let alone win a series there.
Current preparations and expectations
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie expressed the team’s eagerness for the first test. He noted that the squad includes a mix of experienced players and younger talents who have earned their spots. Rennie also mentioned that the three franchise games against the Stormers, Sharks, and Bulls in South Africa have been valuable for exposing newer players to the South African style of play and for building team combinations.
Rennie acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating that the test series will be a significant step up. He is aware of the pressure the Springboks will bring, especially as they are ranked highly and will be playing at their home ground in front of their supporters. Savea, Roigard, and Jordan will be making their first appearances of the tour in this match. Savea and Taylor are both set to play their 110th tests, with Savea making his 18th appearance against South Africa and Taylor his 17th. Segner and Moorby will be playing against the Springboks for the first time. The match is scheduled to kick off at 3:10 am NZT on Sunday morning at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
Source: allblacks.com
