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Springboks vs All Blacks – rugby’s greatest rivalry
The Springboks and All Blacks will go head-to-head for a highly-anticipated battle of the Rugby Championship.
Saturday, September 14, will see the world’s greatest rugby rivalry come to light, as the Springboks head to Eden Park to take on the All Blacks.
The meeting of the world’s number one and two is always a titanic battle, but given the All Blacks’ successful streak and a newly-inspired Springbok team, Saturday’s Rugby Championship encounter is one of the most-anticipated in years.
The last time the two met was in FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, where the Springboks lost 16-32 to an impressive All Blacks performance.
Throughout history, South Africa and New Zealand have played each other 85 times since 1921, with the Springboks winning 34 tests, losing 48 and three was drawn. The Springboks have scored 1,313 points and 127 tries and conceded 1,612 points and 168 tries for an average score of 15-19.
Speaking specifically of Eden Park, the Springboks and New Zealand have played nine time at in Auckland, with the Boks only winning two – in 1921 (9-5) and in 1937 (17-6). In 1994 the game ended in a draw, 18-18.
So it’ll be a tough battle for the high-spirited Springboks, who have made their intentions clear that they want to win this weekend.
Up front, the Boks should have the edge with Vermeulen, Alberts and Louw, as shown against the Wallabies. The likes of Messam and Cane will add some speed and physicality to the close encounters, however, the Boks have the firepower to dominate the forward battle.
In the back division, things are slightly closer matches from numbers 9 to 12, however, the All Blacks have the experience and dangers out wide.
Israel Dagg, Julian Savea and Ben Smith will pose huge threats to the Springbok back three, where Kirchner’s tackling, Willie le Roux’s speed and Bryan Habana’s experience will be needed in order to contain the All Blacks.
New Zealand: 1.Tony Woodcock, 2.Dane Coles, 3.Owen Franks, 4.Brodie Retallick, 5.Samuel Whitelock, 6.Liam Messam, 7.Sam Cane, 8.Kieran Read (captain), 9.Aaron Smith, 10.Daniel Carter, 11.Julian Savea, 12.Ma’a Nonu, 13.Conrad Smith, 14.Ben Smith, 15.Israel Dagg.
Reserves: 16.Keven Mealamu, 17.Wyatt Crockett, 18.Charlie Faumuina, 19.Steven Luatua, 20.Matt Todd, 21.Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22.Beauden Barrett, 23.Charles Piutau.
South Africa: 1. Tendai Mtawarira, 2. Bismark de Plessis, 3.Jannie du Plessis, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 5. Flip van der Merwe, 6. Willem Alberts, 7. Francois Louw, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 9. Ruan Pienaar, 10. Morne Steyn, 11. Bryan Habana, 12. Jean de Villiers (c), 13. JJ Engelbrecht, 14. Willie le Roux, 15. Zane Kirchner
Replacements: 16. Adriaan Strauss, 17. Gurthro Steenkamp, 18. Coenie Oosthuizen, 19. Juandre Kruger, 20. Siya Kolisi, 21. Jano Vermaak, 22. Pat Lambie, 23. Jan Serfontein.
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max melvill
September 12, 2013 at 17:33
are the springboks a newly inspired team? or where the wallabies just poor enough to make us seem that way? just a thought #hierkomdiebokke
Jeremy Proome
September 12, 2013 at 17:36
Haha – both! It was a poor performance by the Wallabies but there’s no denying that the Springboks played excellently. Going to be a cracker!
James N-Y
September 13, 2013 at 09:58
I think it’s going to be an interesting game! A lot of people will be looking at the Bok forward pack, I think a key aspect is going to be the scrum. It looks like the Boks have been working on that with trying to get lower body positions. I think the key will be putting pressure on the AB’s forwards to force tactical errors in kickable positions. Hopefully Steyn is up to it! #NoPressure
I think this game is going to be played like a World Cup final rather than the open, running game people are expecting. In saying that, i hope our new backline combinations prove themselves as a terror for the All Black’s defense at Eden Park!
Jeremy Proome
September 13, 2013 at 12:16
The scrum will be huge! Boks should have a weight advantage on their side. The front row will be very important. All Blacks have gone with Dane Coles, who’s far smaller than Andrew Hore. Beast and the Bismarck brothers must put big pressure on their front row, and cause them to turn or collapse.
Ya, it should be a lot tighter, but the ABs know that their advantage lies in their outside backs – and could see Carter trying some cross-kicks or wide plays to put Ben Smith and Savea into space.