The Freedom Cup and crucial Rugby Championship points are at stake when the Springboks host the All Blacks at the home of South African rugby Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Saturday at 17h05.
Emirates Airline Park holds mythical status for visiting teams in South Africa. The intimidating arena holds over 60,000 fans and has played host to some of South Africa’s greatest moments, including the 1995 Rugby World Cup final victory over the All Blacks. The All Blacks record of five wins from 14 Tests played at Ellis Park shows just how hard it is to gain victory on South Africa’s hallowed ground.
Richie Mo’unga said it didn’t get any bigger than a Test match against the Springboks at Ellis Park. "Nothing compares to it. For me, this is the pinnacle. This is where you want to be playing - against a team that is awesome,” Mo’unga said. "The noise, 60,000, the altitude, you feel the blood in your lungs, you can taste that but just understanding the history that has gone there before. It's a privilege to be able to have the opportunity to play at a place like that."
The Springboks is the overwhelming favourites following their emphatic win over a struggling All Blacks in Mbombela a week ago, however, the All Blacks will be out to take revenge. Expect the match officials to be extremely critical on the aerial assaults by South Africa which could see a slightly different game plan by the Springboks?
The Springboks should win, however, I expect a much closer game than the test in Mbombela. Springboks by five.
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber made six changes to his starting lineup, three of which were injury enforced, for their second Castle Lager Rugby Championship clash against New Zealand.
Bruising No 8 Duane Vermeulen return to the Springbok squad after recovering from surgery to his knee, where he takes over from Jasper Wiese, while Joseph Dweba comes in at hooker after Bongi Mbonambi was a late withdrawal from the team, and Ox Nche takes over from Trevor Nyakane at loosehead prop.
The two changes in the backline see Jaden Hendrikse coming in at scrumhalf for Faf de Klerk, who has been placed on a return to play protocol after suffering concussion in the team’s 26-10 victory against New Zealand last week, while Jesse Kriel will start on the right wing in place of Kurt-Lee Arendse, who also suffered concussion and has been released from the squad after being handed a four-week suspension for a dangerous tackle in the match.
“We made a few changes to the team, but Duane, Jesse and Herschel are all experienced players who know our systems well and have been stalwarts for the Boks,” said Nienaber.
“Ox has also shown his ability to make his presence felt in the front row, so he is back in the mix.”
Nienaber said they were mindful of the fact that Vermeulen is returning from injury, but he said this prompted him to tweak his forward cover on the bench.
“Duane has a massive presence on the field and there is no bigger game for him to make his comeback from injury than facing the All Blacks,” said Nienaber.
“He is an enforcer on attack and defence and we know he will give everything against a physical All Blacks team that are desperate to bounce back strongly from a challenging run of results.
“Jasper is also a warrior, and we know that he will have an equally strong presence when he takes the field.
“Jesse has played over 50 Tests, and he has been waiting in the wings for his chance. He’s played wing for us before, so we know what he can bring to the game, and we are also excited to welcome back Herschel, who has played an immense role to help prepare the playing squad for the last two Tests.”
Nienaber expected a massive onslaught from New Zealand on Saturday despite the All Blacks suffering their second biggest defeat yet against the Springboks last week (16 points – one less than their biggest ever defeat of 17 points).
“New Zealand are similar to the Springboks in the sense that they do not give up,” said Nienaber.
“They fought until the end against us at the Mbombela Stadium last week and we expect nothing less from them on Saturday.
“They have quality players within their ranks and given the rich history between the sides in Johannesburg and their desperation to turn things around after a few disappointing results, we know we are in for a massive challenge this weekend.
“Our focus, however, is on improving our game and ensuring that we build on our form from last week. We had an honest assessment of our performance last week, and while there were several positives, there are areas that we need to make a step-up in, and it will be vital to get that right before we travel to Australia and Argentina for the away leg of the tournament, so this is a vital match for us.”
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster made several changes to the line-up following the defeat against the Springboks in Mbombela.
Uncapped tighthead prop Fletcher Newell has been introduced to the match-day 23 as front row cover, while props Ethan de Groot and Tyrel Lomax have been named in the run-on side. They are joined by hooker Samisoni Taukeiaho, while 69-Test veteran Codie Taylor returns to the match-day 23 as cover.
Blindside flanker Shannon Frizell has also been moved into the run-on side after being used as an impact player during the first Test in Mbombela, marking his 14th appearance in the number six jersey. In the back row, he is joined by Ardie Savea and captain Sam Cane who will surpass Jerome Kaino (81) as the third-most capped All Black loose forward in Tests.
The only change made to the backline is at first-five eighths. Richie Mo’unga will run out in the number 10 jersey for the first time this season, as he closes in on Carlos Spencer (291) for sixth place on the All Blacks’ all-time points-scoring list.
“Belief and confidence remain high in our group, which is working incredibly hard this week,” said Foster. “Playing at Ellis Park is always a special occasion for any All Black team, and this weekend will be no different.
“Adding to that, the Freedom Cup is on the line which makes this a challenge that everyone is looking forward to.”
Teams:
South Africa: 15. Damian Willemse, 14. Jesse Kriel, 13. Lukhanyo Am, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 10. Handre Pollard, 9. Jaden Hendrikse, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6. Siyamthanda Kolisi (c), 5. Lodewyk de Jager, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Joseph Dweba, 1. Retshegofaditswe Nche. Replacements: 16. Malcolm Marx, 17. Steven Kitshoff, 18. Vincent Koch, 19. Franco Mostert, 20. Albertus Smith, 21. Hershel Jantjies, 23. Willie le Roux.
New Zealand: 15. Jordie Barrett, 14. Will Jordan, 13. Rieko Ioane, 12. David Havili, 11. Caleb Clarke, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 9. Aaron Smith, 8. Ardie Savea, 7. Sam Cane (c), 6. Shannon Frizell, 5. Scott Barrett, 4. Sam Whitelock, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 2. Samson Taukei’aho, 1. Ethan de Groot. Replacements: 16. Codie Taylor, 17. George Bower, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Tupou Vaa’i, 20. Akira Ioane, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Beauden Barrett, 23. Quinn Tupaea.
