All Blacks v Springboks
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 13 September
Sky Stadium, Wellington
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
After a test match that more or less lived up to the hype last weekend at Eden Park, attention now turns to Wellington, where the All Blacks and Springboks meet again. Things feel a lot different although no less intriguing, as the Rugby Championship fortunes of both teams hang on the result of this game.
Both coaches have a bit riding on this one too, as they have made key changes to their lineups after the 24-17 win by the All Blacks at Eden Park.
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson and South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Team lists
All Blacks: 1.Ethan de Groot, 2. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Simon Parker, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Damian McKenzie
Bench: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Tamaiti Williams, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Fabian Holland, 20. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Quinn Tupaea, 23. Ruben Love
Springboks: 1. Ox Nche, 2. Malcolm Marx, 3. Thomas du Toit, 4. Lood de Jager, 5. Ruan Nortje, 6. Siya Kolisi, 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8. Jasper Wiese, 9. Cobus Reinach, 10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 11. Ethan Hooker, 12. Damian Willemse, 13. Canan Moodie, 14. Cheslin Kolbe, 15. Aphelele Fassi
Bench: 16. Marnus van der Merwe, 17. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18. Wilco Louw, 19. RG Snyman, 20. Kwagga Smith, 21. Grant Williams, 22. Manie Libbok, 23. Andre Esterhuizen
All Blacks selections
Leroy Carter. Photo: ActionPress
Congratulations to Leroy Carter, who debuts on the left wing for the All Blacks. His naming has been a while coming, and he replaces the injured Emoni Narawa. Damian McKenzie joins him in the back three and Noah Hotham starts at halfback in the only personnel changes to the backline.
Up front Tyrel Lomax is rotated with Fletcher Newell at tighthead, while Samisoni Taukei'aho takes over from Codie Taylor at hooker.
Springbok selections
Cheslin Kolbe of South Africa kicks as Billy Proctor of New Zealand dives to block. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Rassie Erasmus has named an almost entirely new backline, with Cheslin Kolbe and Canan Moodie the only starters to be retained, and Moodie has been shifted to centre. Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinburg-Mngonmezulu are rewarded for a noticeable contribution off the bench last weekend, while Ethan Hooker starts his first test on the wing.
In the pack, Eben Etzebeth is absent for the first time in 26 All Blacks v Springboks tests. Lood de Jager and Ruan Nortje start at lock with RG Snyman backing them up on the bench, but the big change in the forwards is Jasper Wiese returning from suspension to start at number eight.
Key stats
Wil Jordan. Photo: ActionPress
The All Blacks are looking to defeat South Africa twice in one year for the first time since 2017.
The Springboks are trying to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time since a pair of defeats to Ireland and France in November 2022.
Will Jordan has been directly involved in 27 tries across his last 21 Tests (20 tries, seven try assists), including one last weekend.
What they're saying
"It is an awesome opportunity to face South Africa in front of a sell-out home crowd for a second week in a row. Every test match has its own storyline, and this one will be another passionate battle." - All Blacks coach Scott Robertson.
"We know where we went wrong last week and what we must fix, and we'll leave no stone unturned to fix those errors. There's no doubt that we have to deliver a proper 80 minute performance to do well, and we will give everything to achieve that." - Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus.
The last time they met
All Blacks 24 - 17 Springboks
The All Blacks shot out to a 14-0 lead thanks to a couple of well-executed trick plays but then had to withstand a late comeback from a desperate Springbok side. Ardie Savea proved beyond all doubt how great a player he is by securing a crucial turnover late in the game, which was a fitting end to his 100th test match.
What's going to happen
Looking at the players named, it's tempting to think there will be a lot of attacking rugby from those exciting backlines. Sacha Feinburg-Mngonmezulu will have a license to run the ball but this will be the highest pressure situation he's faced in a test match, it helps that he has the in form Cobus Reinach inside him. That will present a nice little match up with Hotham, although if the box kicking tactic is to be persisted with, they will keep each other at arm's length.
Out wide is where it will get really interesting, with Carter picked for pace and Will Jordan keen to add more tries. Once again though, it will hinge very much on the set piece, with the All Black scrum keen to make amends for last weekend.
