All Blacks v Springboks: Kick-off time, TV channel and team news for Rugby Championship clash
- World number one New Zealand face second-ranked South Africa in Wellington in a Rugby Championship blockbuster
- The All Blacks lead the standings by a single point, with the Springboks desperate for victory to stay in contention
- Beauden Barrett, Ardie Savea, Siya Kolisi and Cheslin Kolbe headline two powerful line-ups
The All Blacks and Springboks are set to collide in one of rugby’s fiercest rivalries this weekend. New Zealand hosts South Africa in a crucial Rugby Championship fixture in Wellington. Both sides have endured mixed fortunes so far, making this contest decisive in the race for the title.
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The All Blacks currently sit top of the table, edging out Australia and South Africa by a single point. Scott Robertson’s men return home after a shock 29-23 defeat to Argentina but remain number one in the World Rugby Men’s rankings.
Rassie Erasmus’s Springboks, meanwhile, bounced back from a 22-38 loss to Australia with a 30-22 victory in the return match, ensuring they arrive in Wellington with renewed confidence.
Confirmed team line-ups for New Zealand v South Africa
New Zealand starting XV: Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa’i, Simon Parker, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Billy Proctor, Emoni Narawa, Will Jordan
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Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Tyrel Lomax, Fabian Holland, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Kyle Preston, Quinn Tupaea, Damian McKenzie.
South Africa starting XV: Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel (capt), Damian de Allende, Canan Moodie, Handré Pollard, Grant Williams, Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje, Eben Etzebeth, Thomas du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche.
For the Boks, Pieter-Steph du Toit will start at blindside, with Marco van Staden at openside. Veteran fullback Willie Le Roux returns for his 101st Test match, pairing with flyhalf Handre Pollard and scrumhalf Grant Williams in the halfback combination. Eben Etzebeth will further extend his Test appearances to 136.
The battle between the world’s top two rugby nations promises to be a defining moment in the 2025 Rugby Championship.
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Kick-off time and how to watch live
New Zealand v South Africa kicks off at 9:05 am (SA time) on Saturday, 6 September, from Wellington.
The game will be shown live on Supersport Rugby, with coverage also available to stream via the DSTV stream app on desktop and mobile devices.
The Springboks will be aiming to end a long drought at Eden Park, where they have not beaten the All Blacks since 1937. Assistant coach Tony Brown described the upcoming Tests as “the toughest the Springboks will face since the 2023 Rugby World Cup.”
Springboks legends advises Erasmus
Briefly News previously reported that Springboks legend Steven Kitshoff urged coach Rassie Erasmus to reassess the team’s playing style as South Africa prepares to face the All Blacks at Eden Park on 6 September.
Erasmus named a full-strength squad packed with experience, to be captained by Jesse Kriel, while regular skipper Siya Kolisi will take on a different role, playing at number eight
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Source: Briefly News
