Springbok player Kanan Moody claims matches against Argentina were ideal preparation for the clash with All Blacks

Wallace Sititi stated that the All Blacks team will approach matches against United Rugby Championship (URC) franchises in South Africa with the same intensity and seriousness as they do test matches. He emphasized that the team does not intend to lower its preparation level, even though these matches are played mid-week.

The New Zealand team is starting its four-match tour against the Stormers in Cape Town. Following this, they will face the Sharks and Bulls before the opening test match against the Springboks at Ellis Park at the end of the current month. A game against the Lions is scheduled next on Tuesday.

Although mid-week games may not carry the same status as test matches, Sititi noted that the squad intends to view them as elite-level competitions. The first match will take place at DHL Stadium on Friday at 7:00 PM.

Sititi clarified that the team will prepare for these matches because they know the quality of the opponents. Although the New Zealanders have not faced local teams in Super Rugby since the departure of the South African sides, past tours to South Africa during the Southern Hemisphere club tournament were discussed within the New Zealand camp.

The 23-year-old player accepted the challenge of facing the Stormers, Bulls, Sharks, and Lions. He mentioned that many teammates spoke positively about such tours and acknowledged the high quality of South African football, wondering if playing in Super Rugby would improve their skills. He answered affirmatively, calling the opponents a quality rival.

The All Blacks, who were warmly welcomed in Cape Town, understand that they cannot afford a slow start on Friday. Despite remaining undefeated after impressive performances in the Tri Nations, a poor start could make them vulnerable ahead of the series of test matches.

For Sititi, these mid-week matches provide an additional opportunity for the team to build momentum and continue refining combinations under the guidance of new head coach Dave Rennie before the series begins. The Stormers are known for their physical power and pride in their scrum and driving maul. Similarly, the All Blacks know that the Springboks will also test them in these aspects, so a strong start against the first opponent in the ball contest will be a significant boost to confidence.

Nevertheless, the Stormers also enjoy playing in an expansive style, and considering the presence of two attacking players, Imdad Khan and junior Springbok Yaqeen Ahmed, managing the game from the midfield and wing positions, the New Zealanders will have to face a tough defensive test. Sititi believes that the ability to match the South Africans in collisions will be critically important for the All Blacks to impose their style of play. He noted that the Stormers possess a large forward who likes to run with the ball and participate in contact battles, so they must be respected in attack. Furthermore, since they like to use the ball, the New Zealanders need to be able to match them in attack to give their wing players all the necessary opportunities.

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie spoke with the press in Cape Town on Friday, where the New Zealand team was warmly welcomed by hundreds of local fans.

The All Blacks are aware of the huge challenge awaiting them in the greatest rugby rivalry against the Springboks, but they are ready for the test posed by the world champions and the United Rugby Championship franchise.

Following a heroic reception in Cape Town on Friday, the New Zealanders are preparing for their first clash with the Stormers next week at the DHL Stadium in the Mother City.

Head coach Dave Rennie confirmed on Friday that due to the war in the Middle East, the team had to use various routes to arrive in the country. However, all players, except for team captain Ardie Savea, who is on an extended leave, are already in Cape Town before the tournament starts.

According to the All Blacks coach, some athletes had to fly through Hong Kong, Perth, and Singapore. Rennie stated on Friday: 'Everyone is here except Ardie; the last group arrived this morning.' He added: 'Yes, look, we were supposed to fly through Dubai, but obviously, because of what is happening in the Persian Gulf, we had to make later changes—maybe two or three weeks ago. We managed it. One group was supposed to fly through Hong Kong, one through Singapore, and one through Perth. Ardie will arrive right after the game against the Sharks.'

He continued: 'Our first game here in Cape Town, so we will be based here until then. But once we start playing other matches, we will travel as one team. We will not leave a group here (in Cape Town) nor send another group forward. We will be in the city and supporting each other in the stands at every match.'

Since Ardie Savea has not yet arrived in South Africa, All Blacks tour captain Cody Taylor was popular among Cape Town residents. Hundreds of people welcomed New Zealand to the Mother City before the Great Rugby Rivalry against the Springboks began.

The All Blacks will first play three matches against South African franchises, starting with the Stormers, followed by encounters with the Sharks and Bulls. The first match will take place at Ellis Park (August 22), the second at the DHL Stadium (August 29), and the third at the FNB Stadium in Soweto (September 5). Their arch-rivals will play the fourth match in Baltimore, USA.

In Rennie's opinion, the team continues to develop. Nevertheless, like the Boks, they remain undefeated in 2026, which should give them a lot of confidence before the tour.

He noted: 'We are building a team and are still a new side with a lot of new staff and young players. So we are learning a lot. But we are well aware of how difficult this challenge is; they are two-time world champions, and Erasmus did a phenomenal job here.'

In the upcoming decisive weekend of the Currie Cup, players from the Stormers, Sharks, and Bulls teams have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and increase their chances of making the All Blacks squad, who will begin their matches against great rivals next week.

Key Events of the Currie Cup

The undefeated Cheetahs and the defending champions Griquas are the focus this weekend. Meanwhile, the Stormers, Sharks, and Bulls teams aim to use the tournament to strengthen their positions ahead of the tour to New Zealand.

Matches in Cape Town and Kimberley

On Saturday, a coastal derby will take place in Cape Town, where Stormers XXIII, led by scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer, will face Sharks XV. In another match in Kimberley, the Free State team, captained by Springbok veteran Faf de Klerk, will strive to continue its winning streak, giving De Klerk another chance to impress before the tour to New Zealand.

The Cheetahs will closely watch the challenge from the titleholders Griquas, especially at home in Kimberley. Griquas started their season with a victory over the Bulls in the second round and, despite injury issues, intend to stop the winning streak of the more favored team from Bloemfontein.

Opportunities for Young Players

Several young world champions among the Junior Springboks will be involved in the match between Stormers XXIII and Sharks XV in Cape Town. However, given the approaching All Blacks games against their senior United Rugby Championship teams mid-week, spots in the squad are a subject of competition for many athletes.

The head coach of the Cape Town team, Tom Dawson-Squibb, stated that his players are not focused on playing against the greatest rival, but the Saturday match gives them a chance to show themselves. Centre Marcus Müller is debuting in the Currie Cup after playing for the senior team and is one of the players striving to make an impression. Dawson-Squibb emphasized: 'If you want to get into a stronger team, you must train and play well in the current one. There is no better method.' He added that they probably won't lose many players due to the All Blacks match, but injuries could change the situation.

Four Junior Boks will also strengthen the Sharks XV squad. For fullback Luan Giliomee, this is a chance to claim more minutes in the starting lineup and gain experience playing against the New Zealanders. Like Müller, he played for the SA 'A' team this year before helping SA U20 win their second consecutive world title. Nevertheless, like Stormers XXIII, the Durban team is losing, and their priority is to restore the course of the season.

Bulls vs Lions Match

In another match on Saturday (starting at 17:05), the injured and struggling Bulls will attempt to secure their first win of the season against the Lions in Johannesburg. Following a heavy 56-26 defeat to Griquas, the situation for the team coached by Fives Nomlomo is not improving. Captain Nama Shaba has broken a finger and will miss the rest of the campaign along with talented young centre PA van Niekerk. Other players are also on the injury list, and the Bulls have tasked Nicolaas Jansen van Rensburg with taking on the role of captain.

Boland Kavaliers Season Conclusion

Boland Kavaliers, the only other undefeated team, will host the Pumas in Wellington on Sunday. This is their last home game for some time, and they need to secure a victory before their three-match away trip. A third consecutive win could prepare them for a successful tour and potentially put them in a strong position to fight for a semi-final at home later in the season.