The Springboks tackle the All Blacks at Twickenham on Friday in the sides' final Test ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
Friday 25 August
Springboks 2/1 | Draw 20/1 | All Blacks 43/100
Handicap
SA (+5.5) 9/10 | NZ (-5.5) 9/10
The July Rugby Championship clash between the arch foes in Auckland ended in a 35-20 win for the hosts, who produced an otherworldly first quarter to utterly dismantle the world champions and pretty much put the game to bed.
Both outfits have seemingly named close to their strongest available starting XVs for this one, though the Bok backline may look slightly different come their Pool B with Scotland on 10 September. While the importance of giving first choice players game time is crucial ahead of the trip to France, the spectre of injury will hang heavy over Twickenham come Friday.
🤲 "When a team meets us physically, what's our next plan?"
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) August 21, 2023
🤲 "Every time we get into the 22, we get rewarded with points."
Shimmi and @jonathanmokuena share their Springboks wish-list for the All Blacks match on Friday.. pic.twitter.com/ll7tatOHwx
The South Africans put a second-string Welsh outfit to the sword last week in a brutal 52-16 mauling in Cardiff, and while there were plenty of positives to take out of the encounter, the goal kicking of Manie Libbok remains a concern. His accuracy off the tee will be cardinal for Jacques Nienaber’s men if they are to defend their crown in the months ahead.
The All Blacks seem to have hit form at the perfect time, with many now hyping them up as potential World Cup champions in waiting. If they can bring even three quarters of the physicality and intensity they showed against the Boks at Mount Smart Stadium last month they will be in blady good touch this weekend and beyond.
Teams
Springboks
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Willie le Roux.
All Blacks
15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Mark Telea, 10 Richie Mounga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (c), 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Substitutes: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Tupou Vaai, 21 Dalton Papali’i, 22 Cam Roigard, 23 Anton Leinert-Brown.
Verdict: Springboks at 2/1
Despite the Boks’ weaknesses in key areas in the backline, notably in midfield where Canan Moodie starts his first Test at No 13, get on the world champions to bring a renewed sense of focus to Billy Williams’ Cabbage Patch and steal a win over the ABs.
