Former Springboks star and 2007 World Cup winner Akona Ndungane says South Africa should be prepared for a tough shift against a New Zealand side that becomes more dangerous with their backs against the wall.
New Zealand are in South Africa for two back-to-back Rugby Championship matches in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
The first leg is scheduled for Johannesburg’s Emirates Airline Park on Saturday at 17:00.
The clash will be the sides’ third clash in this year’s Championship, with the Boks leading the log table with 10 points while the All Blacks are second with five points.
Argentina are in third place with four points, while Australia are yet to register a point this season.
Ndungane feels the Saturday clash between Boks and All Blacks might play a role in deciding where the title might go.
“This for me is the biggest game of the Championship, and purely because I believe that both these teams have a chance of winning the Championship,” Ndungane said.
“But I think the Springboks have the upper hand, having been on Tour in Australia and won both those games.
“Also, New Zealand bouncing back after their first game loss against Argentina and playing at Emirates Airline Park, a stadium where we’ve seen very close games between these two nations from the 1995 World Cup to the last Championship game they played,” the Hollywoodbets Brand Ambassador said.
With the Boks ranked No.1 in the world, being reigning world champions and having performed so brilliantly in the opening two rounds of the Championship, they have been picked as favourites to win on Saturday.
The #Springboks team to face New Zealand in Johannesburg feature a new locking combination amongst a host of changes - more here: https://t.co/kllUmxNl5Q 🇿🇦#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/ZONwaG7Jo4
— Springboks (@Springboks) August 27, 2024
However, Ndungane has warned that New Zealand thrives when they have the underdogs tag on.
“And for me, I think the Springboks go in as favourites, playing at home and they are in great form and have a very exciting team that (coach) Rassie Erasmus has selected,” Ndungane said.
“But I think if you look at the team that has been selected, the lock pairing has been a talking point this week having lost a couple of experienced locks, but it’s good to have Eben (Etzebeth) back.
“So, I think that where New Zealand might have an upper hand they have also selected an experienced team.
“But I still believe the Springboks should have enough to get over the line and get a bonus point victory,” he said.
“But we have seen that New Zealand know how to pitch up when they are underdogs. We know they played in Mbombela (Stadium) and lost heavily against the Springboks but managed to bounce back and beat the Springboks in Ellis Park.
“They know how to beat the Springboks there. It should be an exciting game. I still believe Boks should have enough in the tank to get over and get a comfortable victory.”
Your team to face the Springboks 😤#AllBlacks pic.twitter.com/pCop5U2Nzo
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 29, 2024
