Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said the challenge of facing New Zealand at Eden Park – where South Africa last beat the hosts in 1937 and the All Blacks have not lost since 1994 – made it a “nervy” yet special week for both teams.
Springbok experienced scrumhalf Faf de Klerk will join Rassie Erasmus’ side in New Zealand for the second leg of their Rugby Championship campaign against the All Blacks, where they will play matches in Auckland and Wellington, as additional cover in the key position.
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.
Back-to-back Rugby World Cup champions, the Springboks, are set to face Japan at Wembley Stadium in their November tour, before the official Autumn Nations Series kicks off.
The Springboks delivered another scintillating display, scoring nine tries en route to a dominant 55-10 victory over Georgia at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi was thrilled to be back in action for the Boks for the first time this season at the Mbombela Stadium and said he could not wait to experience the “amazing crowd” when they line up against Georgia on Saturday in their closing Castle Lager Incoming Series match.
Boan Venter, Marnus van der Merwe, and Neethling Fouche will all make their Springbok debuts against Georgia in Nelspruit on Saturday as double Rugby World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi returns from injury to take over the captaincy for first time this season in an exciting squad named by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus for the final Castle Lager Incoming Series match at the Mbombela Stadium.
The Springboks secured an emphatic 45-0 victory over Italy in the second test at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, scoring seven tries despite playing with a man down for nearly 60 minutes.
Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok and flanker Marco van Staden were full of praise for Willie le Roux, who will become only the eighth player in South African rugby history to play 100 Tests on Saturday, and said it motivated the team to make it a special occasion for the experienced fullback and the other players celebrating important milestones.