Former Springbok player Odwa Ndungane explains why he believes South Africa will reign supreme in what promises to be a tough but exciting battle against the All Blacks this weekend.
Boks host their fierce rival New Zealand in a Rugby Championship clash at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Saturday at 17:00.
While the battle is mainly about the Rugby Championship title, the All Blacks will be out, seeking revenge against the Rassie Erasmus-coached outfit.
The two nations last met in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final in Paris where the Siya Kolisi-captained Springboks claimed a 12-11 victory to win the Webb Ellis trophy.
Hollywoodbets Brand Ambassador Ndungane, who played for Boks between 2008 and 2011, said the form guide in the Rugby Championship places South Africa as favourites.
“These games are always difficult to call, but South Africa are going in as clear favourites, playing at home and having won convincingly in Australia,” Ndungane said.
Boks have registered back-to-back victories against Australia to stay at the summit of the Championship table.
“With the depth that they have you will say they are the favourites, but you know New Zealand can always turn up and put up a (good) performance,” he said.
“We look at the team that they have picked, they have brought in experience. Same Cane starts at No.7, the (All Blacks) captain Scott Barrett comes back from injury as well, so they will be targeting this first game.
“They wouldn’t want to go to Cape Town (next weekend) under pressure to win that game and stay alive in the competition.
“With their experience and history at Ellis Park (Emirates Airline Park), having had success there, I think they won the last game that these two teams played at Ellis Park.
“New Zealand will be up for it, but I think the form South Africa are in, and the momentum they have going into this game.”
🚨 EBEN ETZEBETH IS IN! 🚨
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) August 28, 2024
Etzebeth has been added to the Springboks bench in the place of Marco van Staden. 🔄
He is set to feature his 23rd consecutive Test match against the All Blacks. 👊#RSAvNZL #RugbyChampionship pic.twitter.com/HJgQ4oSwhF
Ndungane believes the late inclusion of towering lock Eben Etzebeth gives South Africa more bite from the bench.
“And the addition of Eben Etzebeth off the bench, that’s what we have seen in most games that South Africa played, the bench has been the difference,” Ndungane said.
“I think once again, the bench will be the difference in this game. It will be a close game, but South Africa should win it. I see them winning by at least 12 points.”
31.8.24
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Giants collide🤜🤛#ForeverGreenForeverGold #Springboks pic.twitter.com/VWK2jX8J8P
