VIDEO: 'Nervous' Boks geared for massive Eden Park challenge
It is a special rivalry, and the nerves are jangling.
It will truly be a battle of the giants when New Zealand hosts South Africa in a crucial Round Three face-off in Auckland on Saturday.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus admitted it is an ‘open’ competition heading into Saturday’s encounter.
As the Rugby Championship resumes this week, after a brief pause, the next two weeks may well decide the outcome of the Southern Hemisphere championship.
With just two points separating the All Blacks in first place on the standings (six points) and Argentina (four points) in last place, the Eden Park face-off could be decisive.
It is a venue where New Zealand have not lost since 1994 (when France beat them) and where South Africa have not won since 1937.
Unlike last year, when the Springboks won back-to-back Tests against the All Blacks in the Republic, the Kiwis will have home advantage and history on their side.
“That is a massive challenge,” he said of the encounters in Auckland and Wellington.
Australia will have their ‘tails up’ when they host Argentina, after sharing the series with the Boks in South Africa.
However, the focus is on the iconic Eden Park Stadium this week.
“Neither of us has hit our straps yet,” the Bok coach said, adding: “We have been rivals for a long time [more than a century].
“The results have been very close in recent years, going back to the World Cup Final.”
Erasmus also touched on the history and rivalry between the two giants.
“A lot has been made [hype] of the Eden Park factor,” he said of the venue where New Zealand have not lost since 1994 (when France beat them) and where South Africa have not won since 1937.
“It is a nervous week.
“We are confident that we can do well.
“I can see the pressure people are putting on New Zealand,” he said of the All Blacks’ loss to Argentina in Round Two.
“We are experiencing the same,” the Bok said of his team’s Round One loss to Australia.
“It is two teams with respect for each other, while both teams believe they can win the match.”
He added that the Boks have now been together for more than 11 weeks, since the pre-season ‘friendly’ against the Barbarians at the end of June.
(WATCH as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus talks about nerves, history and the Eden Park factor…..)
“We have been in camp for a long time,” Erasmus told @rugby365com, adding: “It is like a tour.
“We are away from our South African supporters.
“I have been touring here since 1994 as a player and it is never easy here.
“As a player I have never won here and as a coach we drew once and won one Test.
“It is always tough and nerve-racking and a tough week.
“The same will apply to New Zealand.”
@king365ed
@rugby365com
The #Springboks are in New Zealand and Saturday’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship Test against the All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland is shaping up to be one for the ages 🫣#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/Ef2r4vvEl1
— Springboks (@Springboks) September 1, 2025
