Round 6 of the Rugby Championship pits South Africa against New Zealand at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. Join The Roar for live scores and updates from 1:00am (AEST).
While the Rugby Championship has already been decided there is still plenty to play for between these two great rivals.
The Springboks will be desperate to secure their first win over the All Blacks since 2011, needing the injection of confidence for the Rugby World Cup in 12 months’ time.
The All Blacks will simply want to maintain their recent dominance over their respected rivals.
Both teams have had their issues leading up to this match in terms of injuries.
For South Africa, Bismarck du Plessis has been recalled to the starting line-up at the expense of Adrian Strauss, who drops to the reserves. Meanwhile, colossal number 8 Duane Vermuelen has been cleared from injury, a big relief to Springbok fans given the relative inexperience of the loose forward unit compared to New Zealand’s trio.
The Springboks have again named an imposing and experienced bench with Strauss, Schalk Burger and Bakkies Botha waiting in the wings along with the exciting Cobus Reinach and Pat Lambie to be called upon to add spark late in the match.
The All Blacks have lost some key personnel, with starting loosehead Wyatt Crockett succumbing to injury and dynamic lock Brodie Rettalick sitting out due to concussion concerns.
In a surprise selection, Joe Moody has been selected to start his first Test at loosehead over the more experienced Ben Franks, while Charlie Faumuina fills the reserve prop vacancy on the bench, and the hard-working Jeremy Thrush is provided another starting opportunity in Retallick’s absence.
Sam Cane has also dropped out of the match-day 23, with Liam Messam and Stephen Luatua the preferred loose forward options on the bench. Luatua provides cover at lock as well. Tawera Kerr Barlow has also been afforded an opportunity from the bench, with TJ Perenara dropping out.
Kevin Mealamu and Malakai Fekitoa have kept their starting positions from last week despite the availability of both Dane Coles and Ryan Crotty, who occupy the bench. Nathan Harris drops out and Crotty replaces the injured Cory Jane.
An intense and brutal confrontation waits between the number 1 and 2 sides in the world. We will be here to cover every minute of the action.
Prediction: All Blacks by 8.
Saw that, NZ gets 14 points more for their starting 15 than SA does, these NZ journo's must be a tough crowd to please, eh?
USrugger
Guest
Talk about ONE-EYED Kiwi journo... Daniel Richardson. Must be their soccer specialist... Gave Vermeulen...VERMEULEN!!... a 5.5 vs Read's 7...not that I'd quibble with Read's rating... http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11337711
Common Sense
Guest
I was pretty confident in real time that Hendricks offload for the first try was forward, no use complaining about it now though.
Digby
Roar Guru
Thanks etienne
etienne marais
Guest
It is allowed, and it was an excellent piece of captaincy. RmC might well have done the same.
etienne marais
Guest
DC, just read your match commentary, 24 hours after the game. Excellent stuff...it's taking me back to where I was yesterday. Thanks.
etienne marais
Guest
Morne was in the picture often...and wearing a pretty green blazer.
etienne marais
Guest
Really? How old are you, Armand? (biologically speaking)
etienne marais
Guest
it was his shoulder, not his arm; so a shoulder charge, not a tackle...that ought to have been the transgression blowed for
etienne marais
Guest
"his only only blemish was he failed to find touch with a penalty" Yes RT, that was a blemish, but they all (even the best) miss kicks. For an objective comparison of kickers, go here: http://www.goalkickers.co.za/
leon
Guest
and will probably become a no body since hes been developed in the Australian rugby system
leon
Guest
I dont think it has shown they have the skills to execute that game plan- for 80min. The second half also shows that they do not have the fitness levels to maintain that expansive game plan hence they reverted to that kicking game. It was thanks to some ill discipline by Messam that got them over the line (hope he gets suspended too). But still those 6 tries were blinders.
etienne marais
Guest
no excuses for that one had we used our opportunities in the last 10 minutes, we could easily have taken the result away from the ref
etienne marais
Guest
"Savea still tryless against SA" like Lomu (but both of them instrumental in creating tries...always) [Savea is special, more skilled than Lomu]
etienne marais
Guest
it often is decided by a penalty or two...that's why one (should) always take them
etienne marais
Guest
Overall though, not just as player, McCaw was probably the most influential "force", but that has a lot to do with his abilities as a leader, combined with excellence as a technical player.
etienne marais
Guest
Just going by his work rate, series stats and demonstrated impact, he takes it by a big margin. But I think it is really due to his incredible consistency. There was not a single game where he was not on my shortlist (of 3) for man of the match. Reid is a fantastic 8, but they are entirely different players. Reid's most valuable asset is his situational awareness, whereas Vermeulen can be better described as a nuclear powered battering ram. If he stays injury free, I predict Vermeulen to be the IRB Player of the Year for 2014. Yes, you heard it first, here on The Roar.
etienne marais
Guest
Apart from (perhaps, and then, only just) Duane Vermeulen, Sir (soon to be) Richie was the most influential force during this entire Championship. [Yes, Reid, Cruden, and A.Smith, for the ABs have been fantastic, but in terms of overall influence, McCaw must be it]
Harry Jones
Expert
I'll try to form full sentences.
Charl
Guest
Jeez Harry your posts are starting to resemble a bit of AD Keet poetry mate :)