New Zealand
19
Match Complete
South Africa
17
| J. Barrett |  | 77 | ||
| 66 | | H. Pollard | ||
| J. Barrett | | 60 | ||
| 57 | | H. Pollard | ||
| J. Barrett | | 35 | ||
| J. Barrett | | 30 | ||
| 13 | | H. Pollard | ||
| 10 | | H. Pollard | ||
| 5 |  | S. Nkosi | ||
| J. Barrett |  | 3 | ||
| W. Jordan | | 2 |
| 1 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 0 | ||
| 4 | Penalty Goals | 4 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Rugby Championship trophy can be won tonight by the All Blacks as they take on the Springboks for the 100th time in a Test. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:05pm (AEST).
Having regained the number one spot in the world after last week’s results, Ian Foster has made a number of changes as he looks to continue his side’s unbeaten streak this year.
The front row is made up of Joe Moody, Codie Taylor and Nepo Laulala whilst Scott Barrett has earned a starting XV role and will join Brodie Retallick in the second row.
The back row will see Akira Ioane continue his great season with Luke Jacobson and Ardie Savea who will skipper the side again in this special test.
The backs are full of pace with TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett in the halves and David Havili will partner with Rieko Ioane in the centres. The back three sees the third Barrett brother, Jordie, get the full back spot ahead of Damian McKenzie and on the wing Will Jordan and George Bridge will be ready for the aerial bombardment the Boks will likely bring.
Jacques Nienaber has made just two changes to his starting line up with Lood de Jager and Kwagga Smith joining the pack. Smith is a very clever player but it will be interesting to see if his relatively small size allows him to get the momentum over the gain line that South Africa will need from its back row.
Nienaber has opted for a different strategy on the bench with more attacking threat being brought in to have an impact in the second half. Instead of his usual forward heavy replacement list, today will see Elton Jantjies and Frans Steyn join the bench.
Head coach Jacques Nienaber has also ditched their Bomb Squad 6-2 split on the bench that includes six forwards to add muscle in the second half, and instead recalled experienced fly-half Elton Jantjies and centre Frans Steyn among the replacements along with scrum half Herschel Jantjies.
Prediction
The Boks know that this game matters for many reasons and they will be desperate to put in the type of performance that gets rid of all the criticism they’ve been on the end of recently. They are a powerful side with some real talent out wide but unfortunately they will not be able to keep up with the pace that the All Blacks play at and after a brutal opening 20 minutes the Kiwis will start to pull away from the chasing Boks.
New Zealand by 12.
Game information
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEST)
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: New Zealand $1.23, South Africa $4.10 – odds via PlayUp
Referee: Luke Pearce
Teams
New Zealand
1. Joe Moody, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Scott Barrett, 6. Akira Ioane, 7. Ardie Savea (c), 8. Luke Jacobson, 9. TJ Perenara, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. George Bridge, 12. David Havili, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Jordie Barrett
Replacements
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18. Ofa Tuungafasi, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Ethan Blackadder, 21. Brad Weber, 22. Damian McKenzie, 23. Quinn Tupaea
South Africa
1. Trevor Nyakane, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 3. Frans Malherbe, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 5. Lood de Jager, 6. Siya Kolisi (c), 7. Kwagga Smith, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 9. Faf de Klerk, 10. Handre Pollard, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 12. Damian de Allende, 13. Lukhanyo Am, 14. Sbu Nkosi, 15. Willie le Roux
Replacements
16. Malcolm Marx, 17. Steven Kitshoff, 18. Vincent Koch, 19. Franco Mostert, 20. Marco van Staden, 21. Herschel Jantjies, 22. Elton Jantjies, 23. Frans Steyn
Emery Ambrose
Roar Rookie
To be fair the shovel ball put players into space a few times, other passes were part of a set piece play. A kick or 2 would not have hurt. Yes TJ was off point many times, unfair on Havili from me.
Shaun
Guest
I actually thought it was a great game. But then I’m not an expert
Ruckit
Roar Rookie
I remember on many occassion they held the ball and took a droppy or got a penalty. One dimensional rassie and co thinking ..
Ruckit
Roar Rookie
Cookie Troll
Ruckit
Roar Rookie
Bing bong, Already new that no 1 had gone last wk. Got anything else ? Once upon a time the real Boks had brilliant counter attack on top of pressure D now they literally rather not play to protect ranking and ego.
Ruckit
Roar Rookie
The sun in Bridges eyes may have been a factor. He seemed to lose track of a couple.Although it appears he doesn’t jump forward as high as Jordie does. I think JB had some issues early also but he was a rock most of the time. Boks cleverly put their “blockers” in which makes it more difficult for the jumper.
winston
Roar Rookie
GB was awful. He was chosen to counter the SB kicks and failed. The thing about his. current form is he offers nothing else.
Machpants
Roar Guru
I'm thinking he's still injured, as mentioned last weekend. Hardly ran.
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Yes Lara..when you are a leader you need to have a feel for when to go for a line out or when to take penalty goal..especially if you are not getting or finishing off try scoring opportunities for most parts of the game
biltong
Guest
Why? Because you say so? Look in the mirror mate, judge yourself.
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Yes he is a physical 9 but that is not what a dangerous AB backline needs...
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
James..congratulations to your Boyz...it was a hard watch given the occasion
Harry Jones
Expert
Really proud of the boys. The only ones I’m cross at are Nienaber, mostly, and then Pollard, Willie, and Faf for listening to Nienaber.
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Potsie you are quite funny
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Hahaha
Poco Loco
Roar Rookie
No. Theirs is the Boks kick
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Let's examine this 80 years claim shall we? Before the 1930s there was one test series in each country, both drawn. So no dominance there. In the 1930s the Springboks won a series in NZ thanks to a dominant scrum and the passing of Craven. So advantage South Africa in the 1930s. From the late 40s to the early 80s games went with serve. every series was won by the home team. So no dominance there either. Since reinstatement in the early 90s we've been on top the whole way, winning at home and often away. So one decade of dominance South Africa, three New Zealand.
Dean
Roar Rookie
TJ performed as Aaron does when they both lose their cool. Webber is even more fragile, he is not a starter. Christie seems to be a lot resilient in the head, I think he is a better option than Webber. Not sure how much of a difference Richie would have made in that mud wrestle of a cracking test match. BB did quite well, that said as a non NZ fan - I rate him as the most nail biting player to watch. You know that he will get you, it’s just a matter of when. I think SA missed PST and Snyman more than NZ missed Whitelock. Can’t wait until next week.
theflintmeister
Roar Rookie
SA fans should be ashamed of their team.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Nobody outside of South Africa wants to see the cycle I described above dominating rugby. It is incredibly dull to watch, both for committed fans and casual viewers. Especially the interminable water breaks at every single stoppage. It turns people off rugby and that is bad for a niche sport. Don't think that we are hating on South Africa. We have been just as harsh on England. And I totally understand why South Africa are playing to their strengths. But when even the English are cheering on the All Blacks that has to tell you something.