The Springboks head into this Saturday’s highly-anticipated ‘rematch’ against the All Blacks with everything to play for: to keep their Rugby Championship defence alive, to claim the No 1 world ranking and retain the Freedom Cup.
New Zealand will be understandable favourites in Wellington, but here are three reasons why we feel that the Springboks will win.
A BACKLINE READY TO FIRE SHOTS
The Springboks have overhauled their backline for this clash, and while that comes with understandable risks, it could also offer huge reward.
Playmakers such as Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse, Canan Moodie, Ethan Hooker, Cheslin Kolbe and Aphelele Fassi are going to present an attacking picture that the All Blacks would have never seen before. There is also the experience, and pace, of Cobus Reinach to throw into the mix.
Unlike last week, this is a Springbok team ready to throw caution to the wind and fire some serious shots at New Zealand. All or nothing, sink or swim.
NO EDEN PARK AURA
Say what you like, but there is good reason that Eden Park has become a fortress for the All Blacks. It’s a venue with so much aura and history that New Zealand almost always rock up as surefire winners, and that’s exactly what happened last weekend.
You only needed to have lipread Ardie Savea as he screamed ‘this is my house’ after winning a crucial turnover last Saturday to understand the subliminal impact Eden Park can have on the home side, opponents and certainly referees.
The Springboks should be far more comfortable heading to Wellington, where they secured a historic victory as recently as 2018, while also picking up a draw in 2019.
BETTER REFEREE
Karl Dickson became enemy No 1 after his inconsistent refereeing performance last weekend, but the Springboks should be far happier with the appointment of Georgian Nika Amashukeli this Saturday.
He is not the type of referee to be rattled by the occasion, while he prioritises clear and concise communication, and will undoubtedly keep a very careful eye on the breakdown after it became a bit of a dog show in that facet of play last Saturday.
South Africa have beaten Wales and Argentina with Amashukeli in charge, but lost to Ireland in Dublin with him officiating, but they will have no complaints about seeing him wield the whistle this weekend.
HOW THE SPRINGBOKS WILL LINE UP AGAINST THE ALL BLACKS
Springboks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Andre Esterhuizen.
Do you agree that the Boks will win?
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