International rugby: First Greatest Rivalry Test preview

All eyes are on Johannesburg in South Africa on Saturday as the first Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour finally kicks off.

After three tour matches and a week of press conferences where each coaching team has done their best to outdo the other and unsettle match officials, it is time to see some action on the field after the obligatory Ellis Park plane flyover before kick-off.

Saturday 22 August, 5:00pm SAST, Sunday 23 August 1:00am AEST, 3:00am NZST – Ellis Park, Johannesburg

The action finally kicks off on the field this weekend after plenty of chat from Rassie Erasmus and his coaching crew, including renowned laws advisor Jaco Peyper. Dave Rennie has also had a crack at airing perceived grievances, like it’s Festivus.

The Springboks have been preparing on the Highveld for a few weeks after sending what could be described as an understrength side to Argentina and coming away a hard-fought win.

For the All Blacks, they have been grappling with injuries after three physical tour matches with several players already on their way home with long-term injuries. There have been other injuries to deal with such as Damian McKenzie, but he has recovered in time to take his place at fullback.

So too has Will Jordan, who has recovered from back issues to take his place on the wing, and the All Blacks will need ‘Air Jordan’ to combat the contestable kicks that will no doubt come their way.

Ardie Savea makes his first appearance on tour after a delayed arrival after some time off after the win over Ireland and his leadership will be crucial in what will be a hostile crowd. Cam Roigard is also playing in his first game on tour, and he will need to hit the ground running.

Due to the nature of the Rugby Championship Tests in recent years, some All Blacks players are experiencing their first taste of Tests in South Africa, and this is the case for both Anton Segner and Josh Moorby.

Dave Rennie has gone with a 5-3 split on the bench and has two loose forwards as part of the forwards make up, which may be needed to combat the Springboks ‘Bomb squad’. There may be concern about no bench lock or a backup ten, with Rennie hoping the injury curse stays away.

Dr Rassie Erasmus has stayed true to his hybrid bench theory, but with a new twist. In what looks like an almost conventional 6-2 split, Andre Esterhuizen is now just being named among the forwards replacements, and will wear the very backrow-shaped no.20 jersey. Could the 5 ½-2 ½ days be numbered?

South Africa: (1-15) Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, Wilco Louw, Eben Etzebeth, Ruan Nortje, Paul de Villiers, Pieter-Steph du Toit (c), Jasper Wiese, Grant Williams, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Damian Willemse.

Replacements: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Zachary Porthen, Cobus Wiese, Andre Esterhuizen, Marco van Staden, Cobus Reinach, Manie Libbok.

New Zealand: (1-15) Ethan De Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Josh Lord, Fabian Holland, Tupou Vaa’i, Luke Jacobson, Ardie Savea (c), Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Josh Moorby, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie.

Replacements: Asafo Aumua, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Anton Segner, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Anton Leinert-Brown, Leroy Carter.

Five random stats for this fixture:

• South Africa have won five of the last six meetings, with the All Blacks’ only win in that time coming at Eden Park in 2025.

• South Africa won by a record margin and inflicted the heaviest defeat suffered by the All Blacks in Test history when they won the last encounter in 2025, 43-10 in Wellington.

• The four matches prior to that record-breaking match had been decided by seven points or fewer.

• South Africa have 10 wins to New Zealand’s six in past encounters at the iconic Ellis Park.

• The All Blacks have beaten the Springboks 63 times.

Last five games:

• 2025 – South Africa 43 New Zealand 10 – Wellington

• 2025 – New Zealand 24 South Africa 17 – Auckland

• 2024 – South Africa 18 New Zealand 12 – Cape Town

• 2024 – South Africa 31 New Zealand 27 – Johannesburg

• 2023 (RWC Final) – South Africa 12 New Zealand 11 – Paris

Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU - Not renowned South Africa laws advisor, Jaco Peyper)

Assistant Referee 1: Karl Dickson (RFU)

Assistant Referee 2: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)

TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)

FPRO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)

Head to 8/9 Rugby YouTube soon after fulltime for our LIVE 8/9 Rugby Post-Mortem following South Africa-New Zealand! And available on all the pod platforms + 8/9 Rugby on Substack afterwards.