Springbok assistant coach Tony Brown has labeled the Boks’ match against the All Blacks at the iconic Eden Park as their biggest challenge since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, when the teams meet in Auckland next Saturday in the first of two Tests in New Zealand.

The Springboks are set to get down to business after arriving in Auckland on Wednesday in high spirits ahead of the back-to-back Test matches against the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship in the next three weeks.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has announced a powerful squad for the upcoming two-Test series against the All Blacks in New Zealand, with captain Siya Kolisi, World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit, all returning from injury.

SA Rugby has confirmed that Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye received an “adverse analytical finding” from a drug test conducted by the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS).

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus welcomed a morale-boosting victory over Australia at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday but said the hopes of retaining the Rugby Championship still rested on victory in New Zealand.  

In a captivating contest at DHL Stadium in Cape Town, the Springboks bounced back from last weekend’s loss to defeat Australia 30-22 in the second match of the Rugby Championship on Saturday. The victory allowed South Africa to retain the Nelson Mandela Challenge trophy.

Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Jesse Kriel were adamant that the team had to bounce back strongly after their disappointing performance against the Wallabies last week, when the sides cross paths for the second time in the Rugby Championship at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday. 

Australia has been forced to make several changes for their second Rugby Championship match against the Springboks at DHL Stadium on Saturday.

Hollywoodbets Sharks fullback Aphelele Fassi will start at fullback in the Springboks’ second Rugby Championship Test against the Wallabies in Cape Town on Saturday, following the withdrawal of Willie le Roux due to a niggle.