Image copyright: Getty Images
World Cup warm-up match
New Zealand v South Africa
Twickenham Stadium
London, England
Friday, 25 August 2023
Kick-off is at 20h30
South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber has stressed the importance of starting strongly against New Zealand as they wrap up their preparations for the
2023 World Cup at Twickenham on Friday, August 25.
The Springboks have built up a good head of steam thus far for their title defence in France, beating Argentina 24-13 and Wales 52-16 in their first two warm-up matches for the quadrennial tournament.
Nienaber's side also won two of their three encounters in the 2023 Rugby Championship, with the only blip coming in a 35–20 defeat to the All Blacks in Auckland.
Siya Kolisi missed that Test through injury, but made his return against the Welsh and will skipper the team once more for what promises to be another epic clash between two fierce rivals.
Canan Moodie has been shifted to centre from the wing due to an injury to Lukhanyo Am, while Kurt-Lee Arendse, Makazole Mapimpi, Damian Willemse and Duane Vermeulen has been drafted into the starting XV.
Image copyright: Getty Images
Nienaber insists there will be no holding back in London after valuable lessons were learned from their last meeting in New Zealand.
"New Zealand play a high-tempo game, and they turn on the intensity from the starting whistle as they showed in Auckland, so it's vital that we start well this week," he said.
"We took the lessons from that match, and we've built good momentum since, so this will be a fantastic test before we enter our Rugby World Cup campaign.
"The rivalry between the Springboks and All Blacks is one of the most intense in world rugby, so it's a great way for us to wrap up our warm-up matches before heading to France for the World Cup.
"This match may be on neutral ground, but we expect it to be as epic as every other Test between the teams. They are a quality team with several playmakers and physical forwards, and they'll give everything on Friday.
"We know what to expect and what we need to do to work our way into a position to get the desired result, so as a team we need to be ready mentally and physically."
New Zealand are undefeated in 2023, having retained the Rugby Championship title with a perfect record of three wins from three in the shortened format due to the World Cup.
Ian Foster's side then faced Australia again on August 5 as part of their preparations for the spectacle which gets underway on September 8, emerging 23-20 victors in Dunedin thanks to a last-minute penalty from Richie Mo'unga.
Foster insists he has no intention of wrapping any of his star players in cotton-wool after naming a near full-strength line-up to take on the Boks.
Alamy Stock Photo
Samuel Whitelock and Scott Barrett come in for the injured Brodie Retallick and Shannon Frizell, while Mark Telea returns to the right wing and Beauden Barrett slot in at full-back.
"We want to go into a World Cup where we've put ourselves under pressure," Foster said. "It's a big test, and we want to play well and go into that French game with a lot of confidence.
"I won't be protecting anyone. There will no sentiment about trying to put people in cotton-wool. You don't win World Cups by putting people in cotton-wool."
Head-to-Head:
Matches - 104
New Zealand - 62
South Africa - 38
Draws - 4
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