Experts believe Hendre Pollard must take charge of the Springboks team to save the series against the All Blacks

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All Blacks coach Dave Rennie expresses confidence that captain Ardie Savea is ready to play actively against the Springboks at Ellis Park stadium. Rennie believes that the All Blacks can gain a significant early advantage by winning the first match of the series.

The Greatest Rivalry Duel in Rugby

Rennie acknowledged the importance of winning the opening test match of the series, which is part of the greatest rivalry duel in rugby, similar to his colleague from the Springboks, Siya Erasmus. He noted that while losing the first match does not mean the end, both teams aim to start the series successfully. Given that the tour will be very intense, a win in the first match will have a positive impact.

The team received substantial squad reinforcement with the return of three key players after injuries before the start of the series. Will Jordan, Cam Roigard, and Damian McKenzie overcame fitness issues. However, the visitors lost influential back-rowers Billy Proctor and Caleb Clarke, who will not participate in the tour.

McKenzie, who will handle the main drop-goal kicking duties, was a major concern after a ankle sprain during the game against the Sharks, but Rennie is confident in his readiness. He stated that Damian spent most of Tuesday's training sessions and feels well, so the team is confident in his participation. The return of these players, including Will and Cam, who showed great effect at the World Cup, is a big plus.

The return of captain Ardie Savea was another significant boost for New Zealand. Savea, who will receive his 110th Test cap on Saturday, rested after the World Cup and only joined the team after the match against the Sharks. Rennie added that Ardie joined them in full fighting condition. He noted that it was useful for him to take a break from rugby and spend time with his family, and that he missed it very much. Savea trained intensively upon his return and quickly integrated into the team, having been with them for almost a month and a half.

Rennie admitted that the final squad selection created a pleasant headache because many reserve players demonstrated good form and created strong competition for spots. There were several positions that required long discussions.

The battle for the second row spot was particularly fierce between Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darby, and Tuopo Vaai. Rennie emphasized how good Patrick Tuipulotu was against Ireland, and also noted that Sam Darby is a large player with an excellent skill set and powerful endurance.

Affirming Erasmus's opinion, Rennie stressed that the depth of the squad will be seriously tested over the four test matches. He concluded that the team plans to use more than 23 players throughout this tour, given the intensity of the test series, and that other players will certainly get their chances.

As the Springboks and All Blacks prepare for a grand four-match confrontation, squad depth and player management are likely to be decisive factors. In the upcoming intense series, the Springboks appear to be clear favorites against their main rivals.

This advantage is largely due to a deeply ingrained culture of player rotation that existed even before the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, which contributed to the creation of unparalleled squad depth.

Head coach Rassie Erasmus has methodically built a world-class system over many years, giving the Springboks two or three international-level options for every position. In recent years, Erasmus has utilized an average of about 45 players annually.

The most striking example of the Springboks' incredible depth is that the South Africans are not concerned about replacing captain Siya Kolisi if his hamstring is not ready for the first match at Ellis Park on August 22. New open player Paul de Villiers has played three excellent Test matches if selected for the clash against the old enemy.

During the game against Argentina over the weekend, number eight Cameron Hanekom demonstrated his value in the scrum, allowing the Boks to rest key players such as Jasper Wiese during the series. This depth also gives the Springboks the ability to use their 'Bomb Squad' without reducing intensity.

Boks forwards rarely play more than 50 minutes in an intense Test match, allowing the starting six to completely exhaust their energy before fresh replacements with similar capabilities enter the game to maintain pressure. This rotation strategy ensures peak physical condition throughout consecutive Test weekends, reducing fatigue mid-series and lowering the risk of soft tissue injuries.

In contrast, the All Blacks are entering the tour with immediate issues related to player losses and injuries. The Kiwis have already faced setbacks interrupting the tour, including a scapula fracture of outside centre Billy Proctor and a calf injury to hooker George Bell.

Furthermore, key game-changing players, such as outside back Will Jordan (defender) and star halfback Cam Roigard (calf), are battling minor ailments and are under observation ahead of the Test series. When top stars are forced to play extended periods or return too early, the load on the touring team becomes acute.

Although the All Blacks possess a very strong squad filled with individual brilliance, their key players are likely to face heavy loads against the Springboks. Four consecutive matches against the Springboks will be grueling, especially since two of these matches will take place in the thin air of Highveld. The Springboks are uniquely prepared for a war of attrition. They have repeatedly proven they can actively rotate their squad and still win Test matches. As injuries mount and fatigue sets in, the superior influence of the bench and the established depth of the Springboks may ultimately tip the scales in their favor.