A match will take place this Saturday in Cape Town where Peter-Steph du Toit will mark his one hundredth test appearance against the All Blacks. Ox Nche will also achieve a significant milestone by playing his fiftieth test match in this important second encounter of the great rugby rivalry.
Both players have played a key role in South Africa's recent dominance in world rugby. They are set to lead the Springboks' physical pressure in attack, defense, and scrums against the New Zealand team at the DHL Stadium, where the game will start at 17:10 local time.
New Zealand leads the four-match series 1-0 after a convincing 33-16 victory at Ellis Park last week, and the world champions aim to return to winning ways.
In addition to individual achievements, which likely motivate the Springboks, there are other factors contributing to their ambitions. It has been almost four years since their last two consecutive defeats, which occurred in November 2022. Furthermore, another All Blacks victory could give them an undeniable 2-0 advantage before the test match in Soweto next week and the final match in Baltimore, USA.
Thus, much depends on this battle in Cape Town for the home team. They naturally want to demonstrate that they have the greatest support in the Mother City, despite the New Zealand team calling Cape Town fans 'ons mense', while locals know them as the Cape Crusaders.
Although a loud battle between the Springboks and All Blacks is expected in the stands, the decisive moments will be on the field. Despite some injuries and substitutions, the hosts will present a strong team striving to break their losing streak. The scrums and lineouts will be intense, but the rain that fell on Saturday may have affected the corresponding play.
The Springboks will lose the calming influence and powerful kick of Handre Pollard, but his replacement, Sasha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, will play in front of his home crowd. This should boost the young player, as the wing-half strives to set the direction for his team in search of a first victory.
The Springboks squad includes: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sasha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Kobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Juan Northe, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vilko Lou, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche. Reserves: 16 Dion Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenkamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Luda de Jager, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Morne van den Berg, 23 Mani Libbok.
The All Blacks squad: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Ruben Law, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Luke Jakobson, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupo Va’a’i, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Tyreel Lomax, 2 Cody Taylor, 1 George Bower. Reserves: 16 Asafo Amua, 17 Xavier Numiia, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Josh Murphy.
The match will start at 17:10 South African time. Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia). Assistant referees: Karl Dixon (England), Sam Grove-White (Scotland). TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia).