Preview: South Africa v New Zealand
It is No.1 on the world against No.2. There is also a World Cup looming in just under two months.
However, there is another, far more compelling, reason why this is a special encounter.
There is no arguing that South African versus New Zealand is one of the greatest – if not THE greatest – rivalries in the game of game.
The history between the countries – even though it has been dominated by the All Blacks in recent times – makes this the one event you tick on your calendar every year.
Award-winning New Zealand coach Steve Hansen, a good friend of South African rival Heyneke Meyer, explained why any Bok versus All Black Test is so special.
"We always want to beat them an they always want to beat us – it is one of the big Test matches you can be involved in as a player or a coach," Hansen told a media gathering at the team's base in Johannesburg this week.
"We'll go at it for 80 minutes and then spend some time with people you respect," he added.
Hansen felt that the teams are so close in terms of their talent and ability that these big games are decided on who pitches up on the day – who has the biggest desire.
"If you haven't had a week's preparation that is genuine, honest and thorough, you are going to get smacked," the Kiwi coach said.
"If we prepare very well – with good purpose and work ethic – we have enough talent to ensure we are hard to beat.
"The other team [South Africa] has to do that as well. It is a formula that we work hard at."
Bok coach Heyneke Meyer spoke about the need to last the distance in a game that will most likely be decided in the last quarter.
"Yes, against the All Blacks it is always very important to have a good start," Meyer said in his address to the media.
"Last year we probably had one of our best starts ever, but they came back at the end," he said of the 27-25 win in the corresponding match in Johannesburg.
He felt that at this stage of the season New Zealand may have superior fitness levels, but added that the Boks are working very hard on fitness every week.
"We have a plan to get our fitness levels up before the World Cup," Meyer said, adding: "While a good start is important – and the first 10 to 15 minutes will be very physical – where the All Blacks put you away is the last 10 to 15 minutes.
"That is why our bench will be important, because the game will be won or lost in that last 15 minutes."
Both Meyer and Hansen made mention of how the weather conditions on matchday will affect their tactics – with predictions suggesting there will be periods of rain and it will be breezy in the afternoon.
"Hopefully the weather plays along so we can have an open, running game," the Bok coach said.
Hansen said he hopes the All Blacks can play the game at their usual, high tempo.
"The weather forecast is for rain and thunderstorms – that might have a say in it," the New Zealand mentor said.
"You have to have the ability to play a free-flowing and a tight game.
"However, [on the day] you look at the opposition and then pick the menu you want."
Players to watch:
For South Africa: The new-look midfield pairing will look to continue their impressive form, especially young Jesse Kriel at outside centre. Handré Pollard has not had the best of starts to the season and will look for a dramatic improvement. However, the most significant selections this week have been that of Schalk Burger as captain and Heinrich Brüssow on the flank. Rookie lock Lodewyk de Jager also has a vital role to fulfil.
For New Zealand: The selection of Israel Dagg at fullback and Ben Smith on the wing gives the All Blacks extra skills on defence and attack – especially if there is to be a bombardment of high balls. Their most significant selection has been Lima Sopoaga at flyhalf – a position where the Kiwis have an embarrassment of riches. You can look at any of their forwards – from Kieran Read, through Richie McCaw (as captain and player), to Tony Woodcock. However, in James Broadhurst they also have a 'rookie' lock (playing his first Test at age 27) with big responsibilities on his shoulders.
Head to head: No doubt the most interesting showdown will be in midfield – rookies Jesses Kriel and Damian de Allende (for South Africa) against New Zealand's veterans Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu. Now throw in the flyhalves – Handré Pollard (South Africa) and Lima Sopoaga (New Zealand) – and you already have your money's worth in entertainment. Up front the spotlight will shine on Heinrich Brüssow (South Africa) and Richie McCaw (New Zealand). They may have different numbers on their backs, but play the same role for their respective teams.
Recent results:
2014: South Africa won 27-25, Johannesburg
2014: New Zealand won 14-10, Wellington
2013: New Zealand won 38-27, Johannesburg
2013: New Zealand won 29-15, Auckland
2012: New Zealand won 32-16, Johannesburg
2012: New Zealand won 21-11, Dunedin
2011: South Africa won 18-5, Port Elizabeth
2011: New Zealand won 40-7, Wellington
2010: New Zealand won 29-22, Johannesburg
2010: New Zealand won 31-17, Wellington
Prediction: South Africa is aiming for back-to-back victories over the All Blacks for the first time since September 2009. These rivals have clashed at Ellis Park on six occasions in the professional era and these matches have aggregated 390 points or an average of 65. The Springboks have lost two of their last four Tests in Johannesburg, this coming after a run of eight straight wins at the venue. There have been four individual try braces scored in the last four Tests between the sides, including two in one game (the other match saw two tries in total). New Zealand produced the fewest kicks from hand (11) in Round One, while South Africa came up with the most (27). South Africa were the only side not to maintain a 100 percent success rate at the line-out in week one; they misplaced two of 14 throws. The All Blacks have opened the try-scoring in each of their last four Tests, twice via wingers and twice via back row forwards. The Springboks have scored the first try in each of their last four home Test matches, twice by a scrumhalf and twice by Marcell Coetzee. Each of the last six Tests between these sides have seen at least one try scored in the opening quarter. South Africa have lost two Tests in succession, but not lost three in a row since August 2011. This is going to be a cracker, as Tests between the Springboks and All Blacks always are. Throw in the World Cup that is looming in just under two months and it is obvious why this a sell-out. Both teams have mixed-and-match, South Africa probably more by default than design. The game will ebb and flow and both sides feel they can beast each other. New Zealand, even without Dan Carter, look the more settled – especially up front where it matters – and they may just sneak this with a late try.
Teams:
South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Schalk Burger (captain), 7 Francois Louw, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Lodewyk de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Flip van der Merwe, 20 Warren Whiteley, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Lionel Mapoe.
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Charles Piutau, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Liam Messam, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Samuel Whitelock, 20 Victor Vito, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Malakai Fekitoa.
Date: Saturday, July 25
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT; 03.05 Sunday, July 26 NZ time)
Expected weather: Periods of rain; breezy in the afternoon. High of 14°C and a low of 1°C
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France), Leighton Hodges (Wales)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
By Jan de Koning in Johannesburg
@King365ed
@rugby365com
Statistical data provided by Opta Sports
