Match Details: All Blacks v South Africa, Sunday 8 September, 3.00am NZT, DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Played: 107
Won: All Blacks 62, South Africa 41, Drawn 4
Last Time: All Blacks 27, South Africa 31, Ellis Park, Johannesburg, August 31, 2024.
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
MCKENZIE'S CHANCE
First five-eighths Damian McKenzie will be up against a more traditional South African rival with the recall of Handre Pollard to the starting role. McKenzie should find that more of an aid in setting his tactical plan for moving the All Blacks around the field and not having to be concerned about the mercurial play of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who is not playing. McKenzie will be looking to build on the significant lead he has in the break assists for New Zealand. So far in the competition he has provided 10 assists, seven more than any other player.
LEADING FROM THE FRONT
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi has put off surgery to reset his broken nose to lead his side in the second Test against the All Blacks. He would have had to miss the rest of the Championship if he had taken the surgery option. He was doubtful about the Test but came through the side's training sessions. He will wait until after the first of the Argentina games before having surgery, which will require three weeks of recuperation. Coach Rassie Erasmus joked his main concern for Kolisi playing without surgery was that he might suffer more damage and end up looking like teammate Kwagga Smith.
STAT CHAT
South Africa have won their last three Tests against New Zealand. Their only longer winning run was the six matches between the second Test in Christchurch in 1937 and the fourth Test in Port Elizabeth in 1949. However, the All Blacks can counter with their performances in Cape Town, where they have had four of their last five Tests. New Zealand has made 22 line breaks in the Rugby Championship this year, four more than any other side, and their 3.6 points per attacking entry into opposition 22m zones is the best of any team. South Africa has crossed the advantage line with 64 per cent of their carries in the Championship this year, six points better than any other side, while their tackle success rate of 89 per cent is the best of any team. New Zealand retained its 100 per cent scrum success last week while South Africa is last of the Championship sides at 85.7 per cent, and in the lineouts New Zealand is still leading with 91.5 per cent compared to 87.1 for the hosts.
WATCH AROUND THE WORLD
NZR+ is streaming the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship directly into territories that traditionally don't receive a live broadcast. Read the full story HERE to find out how you can watch the game.
TEAMS
New Zealand: 1.Tamaiti Williams (10), 2.Codie Taylor (90), 3.Tyrel Lomax (37), 4.Scott Barrett (73-captain), 5.Tupou Vaa'i (31), 6.Wallace Sititi (2), 7.Sam Cane (97), 8.Ardie Savea (87), 9.Cortez Ratima (5), 10.Damian McKenzie (53), 11.Mark Tele'a (14), 12.Jordie Barrett (63), 13.Rieko Ioane (74), 14.Sevu Reece (27), 15.Will Jordan (34).
Substitutes: 16.Asafo Aumua (12), 17.Ofa Tu'ungafasi (62), 18.Fletcher Newell (19), 19.Sam Darry (4), 20.Luke Jacobson (21), 21.TJ Perenara (85), 22.Anton Lienert-Brown (76), 23.Beauden Barrett (129).
South Africa: 1.Ox Nche (34), 2.Bongi Mbonambi (73), 3.Frans Malherbe (74), 4.Eben Etzebeth(125), 5.Ruan Nortje (3), 6.Siya Kolisi (87), 7.Pieter-Steph du Toit (82), 8.Jasper Wiese (28), 9.Grant Williams (35), 10.Handre Pollard (74), 11.Cheslin Kolbe (36), 12.Damian de Allende (83), 13.Jesse Kriel (74), 14.Canan Moodie (10), 15.Willie le Roux (96).
Substitutes: 16.Malcolm Marx (70), 17.Gerhard Steenekamp (5), 18.Vincent Koch (55), 19. Kwagga Smith (46), (22), 20.Elrigh Louw (7), 21.Jaden Hendrikse (15) 22.Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (7), 23.Lukhano Am (37).