By The Numbers | Key Stats For The All Blacks vs Springboks In Wellington
By The Numbers | Key Stats For The All Blacks vs Springboks In Wellington
The All Blacks face the Springboks in Wellington as rugby’s fiercest rivals clash again. Set-piece battles, turnovers and kicking duels loom large.
The fiercest rivalry in world rugby reignites Saturday as the All Blacks and Springboks collide at Sky Stadium in a Rugby Championship clash loaded with consequence and history.
New Zealand edged South Africa 24–17 in Auckland last week to seize control of the standings, but the reigning world champions remain the benchmark. With the Springboks determined to square the ledger and the All Blacks eyeing a decisive advantage, small margins are set to decide this encounter.
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The numbers reveal a matchup of contrasting styles. New Zealand bring pace and precision, while South Africa relies on power and experience. Together, they promise another compelling chapter in a rivalry that has defined Test rugby for more than a century.
The Springboks arrive with the weight of years behind them. Their starting XV averages 30.4 years of age, two years older than the All Blacks’ 28.3, highlighting the veteran core that underpinned their back-to-back World Cup triumphs. New Zealand, meanwhile, leans on a younger crop spearheaded by an experienced core of players, namely Ardie Savea, Beauden Barrett and Scott Barrett.
Set-piece battles are never far from the spotlight when these teams meet. South Africa boasts a perfect 100% scrum success rate through the Championship, compared with New Zealand’s 95.8%. In the lineout, Fabian Holland has been the standout performer across all nations, averaging 7.9 wins per match. Eben Etzebeth, with 4.6 wins per game, remains the Springboks’ dominant figure.
At the breakdown, New Zealand hold the edge with a competition-best ruck success rate of 96.5%. Savea again looms large, having forced four turnovers already, the most of any player. Pieter-Steph du Toit leads the South Africans in that category with two.
Tackling efficiency may be just as important. Scott Barrett’s 43 successful tackles place him among the top three in the tournament, while Etzebeth leads the Springboks with 33. With both packs set to collide relentlessly, defensive resilience will be tested early and often.
The back-row battle could prove decisive. Savea has carried for 190 metres this season, ranking among the Championship’s top carriers. Du Toit, his opposite number, is not far behind with 160 metres. Their duel will shape the momentum at the gainline.
Kicking strategy is another subplot. Beauden Barrett has compiled a tournament-high 782 kicking metres, averaging nearly 300 per match. Handré Pollard sits third with 481. With Wellington’s swirling winds often a factor, field position could swing on their boots.
Discipline remains a concern for both sides. South Africa’s Marco van Staden has conceded seven penalties, the most of any player in the competition. Jordie Barrett and Tupou Vaa’i lead the All Blacks in that category with four apiece. A whistle-heavy contest could tilt the balance.
And then there is the scoring touch. Samisoni Taukei’aho has been New Zealand’s most consistent weapon, crossing for three tries to sit atop the tournament charts. South Africa’s finishing threats have been more evenly spread, with Etzebeth, Cobus Reinach and Siya Kolisi each scoring once.
With statistical storylines scattered across the park, Saturday’s contest will hinge on execution under pressure. For the All Blacks, it is a chance to cement their resurgence under Scott Robertson. For the Springboks, it is a test of championship mettle and a reminder of why they remain rugby’s most formidable opponents.
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