NZ v SA: Cake Tin 'cookout' by the numbers
RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand and South Africa have a long and rich history of encounters on the rugby field.
However, the Westpac Stadium in Wellington, colloquially known as The Cake Tin, is a relative newcomer to this rivalry.
The teams previously played at Athletic Park when games were staged in Wellington and only moved to the Wellington Regional Stadium – better known by its sponsored name – in 2002.
New Zealand versus South Africa records at Westpac Stadium
Played seven – NZ won six, SA won one
Points for NZ: 214
Points for SA: 115
Tries for NZ: 25
Tries for SA: 14
Team records South Africa against New Zealand:
* Most points: 36 – 15 September 2018 (the 36 points conceded by New Zealand were their most ever against any opponent on home soil)
* Most tries: 5 – 15 September 2018
* Most conversions: 4 – 15 September 2018
* Most penalty goals: 1 – On five occasions
* Most drop goals: 1 – 20 July 2002 and 13 September 2014
Individual records South Africa against New Zealand:
* Most points: 11 – H Pollard – 15 September 2018
* Most tries: 2 – AO Dyantyi – 15 September 2018
* Most conversions: 4 – H Pollard – 15 September 2018
* Most penalty goals: 1 – By five players
* Most drop goals: 1 – WW Greeff –20 July 2002 and H Pollard – 13 September 2014
🏆 This is what’s on the line this Saturday – the Freedom Cup.#NZLvRSA #BACKBLACK 🇳🇿🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/JeFJKFqDet
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 24, 2019
Springbok records against all opponents at Westpac Stadium
Played 10; Won three; Lost seven
Team records:
* Most points: 49 v Fiji – 17 September 2011
* Most tries: 6 v Fiji – 17 September 2011
* Most conversions: 5 v Fiji – 17 September 2011
* Most penalty goals: 2 v Australia – 9 October 2011
* Most drop goals: 1 on three occasions
Individual records:
* Most points: 21 by M Steyn (t, 5c, 2p) v Fiji – 17 September 2011
* Most tries: 2 by AO Dyantyi v New Zealand – 15 September 2018
* Most conversions: 5 by M Steyn v Fiji – 17 September 2011
* Most penalty goals: 2 by M Steyn v Fiji – 17 September 2011 and v Australia – 9 October, 2011
* Most drop goals: 1 by each of WW Greeff v New Zealand – 20 July 2002; M Steyn v Australia – 9 October 2011 and H Pollard v New Zealand – 13 September 2014
Springbok miscellaneous:
* The total Test caps for the Springbok starting line-up is 457. There are 168 caps in the backline with 289 caps amongst the forwards. On the bench there are a further 350 caps.
* The average number of caps per player in the backline are 24, the forwards 36 while the players on the bench average 44 caps. The average age of the starting fifteen is 27.
* Eben Etzebeth is the third most capped lock with 77 Test matches. Victor Matfield (127) and Bakkies Botha (85) are the most capped locks.
Milestones and Records:
* Tendai Mtawarira is the second most capped Springbok in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship with 51 appearances. Bryan Habana holds the records with 53 appearances.
* Should a successful drop goal be kicked by a Springbok in this Test match, it will be the 30th drop goal against New Zealand in the history of Test match rugby between the two countries.
Match Officials:
* The referee is Nic Berry of Australia and this will be his 10th Test match as a referee, but his first involving South Africa.
* The assistant referees are Angus Gardner of Australia and Shuhei Kubo of Japan, while Rowan Kitt (England) is the TMO.
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VIDEO: ‘Rassie and his team have really stepped up’
