All Blacks v All Blacks: Scott Robertson names squad for Rugby Championship test in Johannesburg
All Blacks versus Springboks at Ellis Park.
Those seven words can only be described as the pinnacle fixture (outside of a Rugby World Cup final) between rugby’s two fiercest rivals and a match that is circled by fans, coaches and players alike when schedules are announced.
For All Blacks winger Mark Tele’a, a trip to the Republic has an extra layer of importance – one where in a different world, he could have been playing at home, rather than away.
Sam Cane has been named to start for the All Blacks against All Blacks on Sunday morning, in one of two changes to the starting XV.
Cane will make his first start for the All Blacks since last year’s Rugby World Cup final at openside flanker, with captain Scott Barrett to make his return from a finger injury to take his place in the starting lineup at lock.
Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan again favoured on the wings and Tamaiti Williams holding down the loosehead prop with Ethan de Groot (neck) ruled out of the two-test tour. Dalton Papali’i was also ruled out of this test due to a thumb injury.
On the bench, Sam Darry remains in the match-day squad in a reserve role with Barrett’s return, while Samipeni Finau will provide cover in the loose forwards.
“To play All Blacks at Ellis Park is one of the greatest tests you can prepare for; we will embrace the occasion,” All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said.
Tele’a’s father is All Blacksn, his mother Samoan, and by right he qualified to play rugby for three nations. He opted to represent the country of his birth, New Zealand.
A win for South Africa over arch-rivals New Zealand in Johannesburg on Saturday would leave the World Cup title-holders well placed to win the Rugby Championship a second time.
Bonus-point victories over Australia in Brisbane and Perth lifted the Springboks to 10 points, five more than second-placed New Zealand, who suffered a shock home defeat by Argentina.
Catch every Rugby Championship match live, ad-free and on demand on Stan Sport
New Zealand have dominated the annual southern hemisphere competition since its launch in 2012, winning nine editions with South Africa and Australia successful only once each.
AFP Sport presents five things to know before the 107th clash between the teams since they first met in 1921 in Dunedin, where New Zealand won.
Etzebeth poisedVeteran lock Eben Etzebeth will move within two appearances of the Springboks record of 127 held by former lock Victor Matfield if he plays off the bench.
The 32-year-old from the Sharks franchise in Durban currently shares second place with winger Bryan Habana.
Full-back Beauden Barrett will be the most capped starter for New Zealand having represented his country 128 times.
Stadium stalemateSouth Africa and New Zealand have won four Tests each at Ellis Park since the dawn of the professional era in the mid-1990s.
The arch-rivals last met at the stadium on the outskirts of central Johannesburg two years ago with two late tries giving the visitors a 35-23 victory.
The average winning margin for the Springboks in their four triumphs was eight points compared with 8.25 points for the All Blacks.
Replacement hooker Malcolm Marx has scored 19 tries, predominantly from driving mauls, which is a record for a Springbok forward.
Two of those pushover scores came in Perth two weeks ago when South Africa completed a double in Australia with a 30-12 victory.
Bongi Mbonambi, the starting hooker on Saturday, has also benefited from the famed mauling of the record four-time world champions, claiming 14 Test tries.
Capacity crowdsSouth Africa have filled stadiums in Pretoria, Durban and Bloemfontein for their first three home fixtures this season, with 155,000 spectators watching the world champions.
The Johannesburg Test is also a sell-out, with the 62,000 tickets snapped up in just over 30 minutes.
South Africa and New Zealand meet again on September 7 in Cape Town, with an official in the southwest city saying they could have filled the 60,000-seat venue four times.
Both South Africa and New Zealand will have 13 survivors from the 2023 Rugby World Cup final in the matchday 23s at Ellis Park.
South Africa have chosen 10 in the run-on XV with three on the bench while New Zealand went for an 11-two split between starters and replacements.
Handre Pollard slotted four penalties to give the Springboks a 12-11 victory over the All Blacks in the World Cup title decider at the Stade de France last October.
All Blacks v All Blacks: Mark Tele’a relishing opportunity to face Springboks at Ellis Park.
Live: All Blacks team naming for first test against All Blacks.
🔴 GO LIVE==►► CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVE
🔴 STREAMING==►► CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVE
All Blacks v All Blacks: Scott Robertson names squad for Rugby Championship test in Johannesburg
All Blacks versus Springboks at Ellis Park.
Those seven words can only be described as the pinnacle fixture (outside of a Rugby World Cup final) between rugby’s two fiercest rivals and a match that is circled by fans, coaches and players alike when schedules are announced.
For All Blacks winger Mark Tele’a, a trip to the Republic has an extra layer of importance – one where in a different world, he could have been playing at home, rather than away.
Sam Cane has been named to start for the All Blacks against All Blacks on Sunday morning, in one of two changes to the starting XV.
Cane will make his first start for the All Blacks since last year’s Rugby World Cup final at openside flanker, with captain Scott Barrett to make his return from a finger injury to take his place in the starting lineup at lock.
Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan again favoured on the wings and Tamaiti Williams holding down the loosehead prop with Ethan de Groot (neck) ruled out of the two-test tour. Dalton Papali’i was also ruled out of this test due to a thumb injury.
On the bench, Sam Darry remains in the match-day squad in a reserve role with Barrett’s return, while Samipeni Finau will provide cover in the loose forwards.
“To play All Blacks at Ellis Park is one of the greatest tests you can prepare for; we will embrace the occasion,” All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said.
Tele’a’s father is All Blacksn, his mother Samoan, and by right he qualified to play rugby for three nations. He opted to represent the country of his birth, New Zealand.
A win for South Africa over arch-rivals New Zealand in Johannesburg on Saturday would leave the World Cup title-holders well placed to win the Rugby Championship a second time.
Bonus-point victories over Australia in Brisbane and Perth lifted the Springboks to 10 points, five more than second-placed New Zealand, who suffered a shock home defeat by Argentina.
Catch every Rugby Championship match live, ad-free and on demand on Stan Sport
New Zealand have dominated the annual southern hemisphere competition since its launch in 2012, winning nine editions with South Africa and Australia successful only once each.
AFP Sport presents five things to know before the 107th clash between the teams since they first met in 1921 in Dunedin, where New Zealand won.
Etzebeth poisedVeteran lock Eben Etzebeth will move within two appearances of the Springboks record of 127 held by former lock Victor Matfield if he plays off the bench.
The 32-year-old from the Sharks franchise in Durban currently shares second place with winger Bryan Habana.
Full-back Beauden Barrett will be the most capped starter for New Zealand having represented his country 128 times.
Stadium stalemateSouth Africa and New Zealand have won four Tests each at Ellis Park since the dawn of the professional era in the mid-1990s.
The arch-rivals last met at the stadium on the outskirts of central Johannesburg two years ago with two late tries giving the visitors a 35-23 victory.
The average winning margin for the Springboks in their four triumphs was eight points compared with 8.25 points for the All Blacks.
Replacement hooker Malcolm Marx has scored 19 tries, predominantly from driving mauls, which is a record for a Springbok forward.
Two of those pushover scores came in Perth two weeks ago when South Africa completed a double in Australia with a 30-12 victory.
Bongi Mbonambi, the starting hooker on Saturday, has also benefited from the famed mauling of the record four-time world champions, claiming 14 Test tries.
Capacity crowdsSouth Africa have filled stadiums in Pretoria, Durban and Bloemfontein for their first three home fixtures this season, with 155,000 spectators watching the world champions.
The Johannesburg Test is also a sell-out, with the 62,000 tickets snapped up in just over 30 minutes.
South Africa and New Zealand meet again on September 7 in Cape Town, with an official in the southwest city saying they could have filled the 60,000-seat venue four times.
Both South Africa and New Zealand will have 13 survivors from the 2023 Rugby World Cup final in the matchday 23s at Ellis Park.
South Africa have chosen 10 in the run-on XV with three on the bench while New Zealand went for an 11-two split between starters and replacements.
Handre Pollard slotted four penalties to give the Springboks a 12-11 victory over the All Blacks in the World Cup title decider at the Stade de France last October.