Springboks Chase History As All Blacks Defend Eden Park Fortress
Springboks Chase History As All Blacks Defend Eden Park Fortress
The All Blacks face the Springboks at Eden Park in a Rugby Championship clash with records, streaks and Ardie Savea’s 100th test all on the line.
South Africa and New Zealand need no introduction. This is rugby’s ultimate rivalry, forged through decades of battles across continents.
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But Saturday at Eden Park brings something more: streaks, milestones and a chance to tilt The Rugby Championship title race.
For the Boks, it’s about ending 88 years without a win at Auckland’s fortress.
For the All Blacks, it’s about protecting their unbeaten Eden Park record that stretches back to 1994.
The Weight Of History
South Africa arrived in Auckland having beaten New Zealand four times in a row, a streak only bettered once in the rivalry’s long history between 1937 and 1949.
The Springboks strangled the All Blacks in Paris to lift the World Cup, edged them in Cape Town and now arrive with the Freedom Cup already in their cabinet.
But Eden Park is different.
The All Blacks haven’t lost here in over 50 test matches, dating back to 1994.
The Boks’ last victory came in 1937 in what was their second win of that long win streak over the All Blacks.
With so much history on the line, this feels as though it is the final frontier for a South African side that has done it all.
Rassie Erasmus has doubled down on experience to get the job done.
Eben Etzebeth returns for his 136th cap, Siya Kolisi shifts to No. 8, Pieter-Steph du Toit reclaims the blindside role and Willie le Roux is back at fullback for his 101st test.
That’s 939 caps of starting XV muscle memory, with Jesse Kriel captaining again after leading against Italy and Australia.
“We’ve picked our most trusted combinations for a reason,” Erasmus said this week. “This will be a grind.”
Centurions And Rising Stars
If the Boks lean on veterans, the All Blacks have a milestone of their own.
Ardie Savea will run out for his 100th test, becoming just the fourth New Zealand loose forward to do so.
He already holds the record for most tries by an All Blacks forward (30), and his relentless work rate has made him the heartbeat of this side since 2016.
“He embodies everything about being an All Black,” said coach Scott Robertson. “We want to honor him with a performance worthy of the milestone.”
Robertson also has rolled the dice with fresh blood.
Simon Parker makes his first test start at blindside, while halfback Kyle Preston could debut off the bench after a meteoric rise from Wellington club rugby just 18 months ago.
It’s the type of gamble Robertson thrives on, but it comes with risk.
South Africa has won 10 of its last 11 away tests and thrives in hostile conditions.
What Will Decide It
The matchups are clear.
Handré Pollard has been flawless from the tee this season, while Beauden Barrett has kicked at just 54%.
South Africa leads the Championship in offloads (20 in two matches), while the All Blacks chop low more than any other team (42% of tackles at hip height).
Expect Willie le Roux and Will Jordan to trade counter-attacking punches, while Malcolm Marx and Savea scrap for every breakdown.
And don’t expect a blowout.
Nine of the last 14 tests between these two have been settled by six points or fewer.
The Boks have held New Zealand to one try or less in three of their last four meetings. This will be a tight, physical and tense match.
For the Springboks, it’s a shot at history, a fifth straight win over their greatest rival and a chance to end their longest-running hoodoo in test rugby.
For the All Blacks, it’s about regaining the ascendancy in a rivalry they have dominated for the past two decades, whilst once again proving Eden Park remains untouchable.
All Blacks Roster
15 Will Jordan, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Fabian Holland, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Damian McKenzie
Springboks Roster
15 Willie Le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel (c), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Ethan Hooker
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