Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry: Springboks Face All Blacks in Ellis Park Blockbuster

by Devesh Jaganath

image Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry: Springboks Face All Blacks in Ellis Park Blockbuster
The time has come! Two of rugby’s most decorated nations will renew their historic rivalry this afternoon when the Springboks take on the All Blacks in front of a packed house at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, in the opening Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
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South Africa Look To Add To Recent Success Over New Zealand

Six weeks of mind games, two weeks of tour matches, and countless press conferences for players and coaches finally come to an end this afternoon at Ellis Park - Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry begins!

The Springboks are chasing more than just another win over the All Blacks when the two sides meet: the encounter marks the start of a four-Test series and New Zealand’s first full tour of South Africa in 30 years. Check out our South Africa vs New Zealand prediction. 

The Springboks enter today’s blockbuster with huge momentum!

The reigning world champions have firmly held the upper hand in recent years, winning five of their last six battles against the All Blacks, including a record-breaking 43-10 victory in Wellington last year. With 12 consecutive Test wins now behind them, the Boks arrive at Ellis Park with serious confidence. 

Since their inaugural clash in Dunedin in 1921, South Africa and New Zealand have met in 110 Tests, with the All Blacks winning 63 and the Boks securing 43 wins, while four matches have been drawn. South Africa have also won the last two Rugby Championships, while the All Blacks won nine of the previous 11 editions. 

 

Team News: All Blacks Forced Into Late Change For First Test

New Zealand have been hit by a late injury blow ahead of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry opener, with flanker Anton Segner forced to withdraw from the matchday squad just hours before kickoff at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. 

Simon Parker receives late call-up for Anton Segner!

Segner, who was born in Germany, made his Test debut for the All Blacks against Italy in the Nations Championship, entering the fray from the bench during the victory before earning his second international cap a week later against Ireland. 

Springboks vs All Blacks Starting Lineups

South Africa – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (c), 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nché.
Bench: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 André Esterhuizen, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok.

New Zealand – 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (c), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Bench: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Simon Parker, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Leroy Carter.