Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber says they are expecting the All Blacks to push them to the limit when they meet in the opening match of the Rugby Championship on Saturday at the Mbombela Stadium (5.05pm).
s charges are deep in preparation for the two back-to-back Tests against the All Blacks. The Bok head honcho has only faced New Zealand twice during his tenure, winning one match and losing the other. s series with Wales, he has now settled on his preferred match 23. ll be flanked by Frans Malherbe and Trevor Nyakane in the front row. The second row will feature Lood de Jager and Eben Etzebeth. Captain Siya Kolisi will be part of the loose trio with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese.
The halfback combination of Faf de Klerk and Handré Pollard is reinstated, while Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am will be in the midfield. Makazole Mapimpi and Kurt-Lee Arendse will be on the wings with the impressive Damian Willemse at fullback. “The Springboks and All Blacks have a unique rivalry, and we always bring the best out of one another. New Zealand have always tested us to the limit, and it will be no different in the next two weeks,” said Nienaber.
“They will play a different style of rugby to Wales and we have been preparing for that. Their set pieces are strong and they have fantastic skills in their backline, so we’ll have to be at our best to register a win. “This week our focus is more on New Zealand and the areas of the game that we feel will be vital to give us the best possible chance to start the series on a positive note, and we’ve been working hard on that, and we will continue doing so in the build-up to the match.”
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jean: Boks to skin struggling All BlacksJean de Villiers says the Springboks, if they strike the right balance between attack and defence, will beat the All Blacks in back-to-back Rugby Championship Tests.
Read more »
Blast from the past: Boks have Steyn power to beat All Blacks in DurbanToday in SA sports history: August 1
Read more »
Boks v All Blacks: Two 'desperate' teams to clash in Rugby Champs opener | The CitizenThe Boks are preparing for an all-out physical assault from the visitors, particularly at the set pieces.
Read more »
Boks must pump 'damn average' All BlacksThe All Blacks are vulnerable and the Springboks must seize the moment to overrun their rivals in two Rugby Championship Tests in South Africa.
Read more »
All Blacks: Boks a different beast to IrelandOutside centre Rieko Ioane says the All Blacks can’t wait to get stuck into the 'world-class' Springboks when the two teams do battle in Nelspruit on Saturday.
Read more »
Marx, Arendse, De Klerk in for Boks' Rugby Champs opener against All Blacks | The CitizenThere are three changes to the starting team for the Rugby Championship opener against the All Blacks.
Read more »