'Completely different challenge': Erasmus unveils 'best possible team' for Eden Park showdown

Thu, Sep 4, 2025, 8:00 AM
AW
by AFP & Nick Wasiliev

South Africa have unveiled their team to take on the All Blacks, as they look to try and end a 50-Test unbeaten streak at Auckland's Eden Park.

The All Blacks have not lost at the venue since 1994, but for the Springboks the venue has been an infamous graveyard - having not tasted victory there since 1937.

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Robertson made three starting changes for Saturday's heavyweight Rugby Championship clash between the world's two top-ranked sides, in which star forward Ardie Savea will play his 100th Test.

The hosts have been plagued by injuries at scrumhalf, adding to the challenges the hosts face to maintain their unbeaten run.

Springboks counterpart Rassie Erasmus unveiled four changes to his starting side, who beat Australia 30-22 in Cape Town last month, including the return from injury of Siya Kolisi in the back row, but not as captain.

Erasmus said centre Jesse Kriel would retain the captaincy because double World Cup-winning skipper Kolisi's availability had been in doubt this week with a knee complaint.

"At that stage, Jesse had already been told he would be the captain, and it was only fair for us to keep things that way," Erasmus said.

"It will be a big occasion for him to captain the team against the All Blacks for the first time, so we are proud of Jesse, and we know he'll carry this responsibility with great pride."

Pieter-Steph du Toit also returns from injury into the Springboks back row, while centurions Willie le Roux and Eben Etzebeth are restored at fullback and lock respectively.

Despite being the current World Cup champions, the Springboks recently lost the world number one ranking after the Wallabies broke a 62-year drought at Ellis Park, falling to third as a result.

While they have climbed back up to second with victory in Cape Town, Erasmus said breaking the Eden Park stronghold was obvious motivation for his side, who have won their past four Tests against New Zealand, including the 2023 World Cup final.

"We selected the best possible team we could for the match, knowing that this is going to be an epic encounter. Many of these players have done the job for us before against them," Erasmus said.

"This is obviously going to be a completely different challenge to what we've faced against them in the last two years, with the match being hosted in New Zealand, and also at a venue where they hold a fantastic record."

SOUTH AFRICA SQUAD TO FACE NEW ZEALAND

Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel (capt), Damian de Allende, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Grant Williams; Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje, Eben Etzebeth, Thomas du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche.

Replacements: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Boan Venter, Wilco Louw, Lood de Jager, Kwagga Smith, Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker

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