All Blacks v Springboks
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 6 September
Eden Park, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Analysis - Chances are there will be plenty of box kicks on Saturday night, and while the tactic is probably almost as old as the game itself, hoisting it high from the base of the ruck is something that's now extremely prevalent and crucial in modern test rugby.
So while the sight of forwards lumbering back and setting up a caterpillar line behind the ruck to provide space for a box-kick might cause you to roll your eyes, tough luck. Especially since, as All Blacks assistant coach Scott Hansen explained at today's team media session, teams are now heavily incentivised to do so.
"Where the game's at around the ruling, it's actually encouraging us to go there because the escorts and the like now have to get out of the way. So teams are seeing that as a massive opportunity to apply pressure differently," he said.
Cam Roigard of New Zealand box kicks the ball over Mickael Guillard of France during the Lipovitan-D Series v France - New Zealand All Blacks v France rugby match at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin. 5 July 2025. © Copyright image by Peter Meecham / www.photosport.nz Photo: Peter Meecham
The much-maligned escort interpretation Hansen referred to came in last year. It immediately caused a run of contentious penalties, due to receiving team players adjudged to be obstructing opposition chasers.
While it has cooled down as coaches have adapted to the now critical act of simply getting out of the way, sending a kick high is still very much seen as a way of gaining penalties and valuable field position.
However, challenging for the ball still remains the key part of a decent box-kick.
"Fundamentally it's around reshaping the defence. So it's about moving the point of attack and going to the air. So when you're attacking, is the chance to move the ball to a new a new opportunity around the aerial game."
Unfortunately for the All Blacks, that was very much something they were on the receiving end of in their last test match. The Pumas' kicking game, both from the base and in open play, was a massive part of their historic victory, with the targeting of Will Jordan in particular taking him out of the game often as the fullback was tied up in the aerial contest and subsequent scramble for possession.
South Africa halfback Faf de Klerk makes a clearing kick as All Black Scott Barrett bears down on him during New Zealand's loss at Twickenham. Photo: Photosport
That approach is unlikely to change, as the Springboks effectively box-kicked their way to a World Cup win in 2023, putting the ball in the right areas of the field to give Handre Pollard enough shots at goal.
While the All Blacks weren't too far behind them on the kick stats - 34 times to the Springboks' 38 - it was the much quicker intent to do so by Rassie Erasmus' side that was the telling difference.
They passed the ball only 84 times to the All Blacks' 221, meaning that it barely ever got past Faf de Klerk or Pollard himself.
Tellingly, de Klerk has been recalled to the current Springbok squad and may well feature in this weekend's test.
The much-talked about All Black halfback spot is one that is now box-kick reliant, with it being seen as key strengths of now-certain starter Finlay Christie and likely backup Kyle Preston.
So does that mean it will be Plan A for the All Blacks, who have been consistent in their desire to try to run the ball at the right opportunities?
"It's a plan," Hansen said.
"Every international team needs the ability to go to the air, dictate terms on a kick to regain.
"You can structure a defence there also. It's test match footy around understanding where we can control the air and what it gives you to also from those opportunities from it."
