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2024 Rugby Championship
South Africa v New Zealand
Ellis Park
Johannesburg, South Africa
Saturday, 31 August 2022
Kick-off is at 17h00
South Africa have an opportunity to build a big lead in the
2024 Rugby Championship when they host New Zealand at Ellis Park in the third round on Saturday, August 31.
The Springboks top the table on 10 points following back-to-back wins over Australia, having earned a bonus point in each of their opening two matches.
However, the world champions have been dealt a major blow in the lead-up to the clash in Johannesburg after Eben Etzebeth was forced to withdraw from the squad and joins fellow locks RG Snyman, Lood de Jager and Franco Mostert on the sidelines.
Pieter-Steph du Toit returns to the second-row after starting at flank against the Wallabies in the second round and his role will be filled by Ben-Jason Dixon, who is one of nine changes made to the team that won 30-12 in Perth on August 17.
Boks head coach Rassie Erasmus believes New Zealand will be that much more motivated to avenge their narrow defeat in the 2023 World Cup final in order to restore some pride.
"We've no doubt they'll come out guns blazing. They'll want to build winning momentum after bouncing back against Argentina following their disappointing opening game, and the rivalry between the Boks and All Blacks will motivate them even more," Erasmus said.
"There is also no doubt they'll still be hurting from the Rugby World Cup final, and in addition to that they know how important a win will be to square things up and open up the Castle Lager Rugby Championship log.
"They're a quality team with several players who have an X-factor and they constantly pose a threat to our defence, so we have to start well and be on the top of our game in all departments to try to build on what we have done in the competition so far."
The All Blacks trail their arch-rivals by five points in second place, having suffered a shock 38-30 defeat to Argentina in Wellington on August 10 before bouncing back with a comprehensive 42-10 victory in Auckland seven days later.
All the talk since then has been centred on the bust-up between head coach Scott Robertson and offensive coach Leon MacDonald, who left his role on August 22 ahead of the squad's trip to South Africa.
But forwards coach Jason Ryan insists everyone has moved on from the decision and they prepare for the "greatest challenge" in the test arena.
"Obviously the conversations were had and the decisions were made, and we move on pretty quickly. And you have to, to be fair. I have got a massive amount of respect for Leon as a man and as a coach, and as I have Razor," Ryan said.
"They have come to that decision, and as far as we are concerned it's last week's news and we keep moving forward.
"As Dane Coles once said it's probably the greatest challenge and best arena you can test yourself in the All Blacks. We're really excited by that. We'll embrace that and walk towards it.
"They're the world champions; 64,000 roaring South Africans, it doesn't get any better, so we can't wait. Even the bus trip is pretty feral. There's a few hand signals and a few empty cans coming towards the window and that sort of thing.
"It's a great rivalry, the All Blacks and Springboks. As much as they want to beat us there's a good amount of respect there - as there is from us."
Head-to-Head:
Matches - 105
South Africa - 40
New Zealand - 62
Draws - 4
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