Rugby Championship news: Springboks to conquer All Blacks, vanquish Eden Park record

Both Rassie Erasmus and Scott Robertson have backed experience and poise in their team selections for the most highly-anticipated international rugby clash of the year: the All Blacks’ hosting of the Springboks at Eden Park in Auckland.

And with a 50-match unbeaten record at the venue on the line, this mammoth encounter is set to be a hotly contested arm wrestle won in key moments.

Here, Sports News Blitz’s Aidan Leo looks ahead to the colossal clash.

Kriel leads Boks

Outside-centre Jesse Kriel captains the side for the third time, in a side that features usual captain Siya Kolisi at number eight.

It’s been reported that Kolisi may not have played but for an injury to the presumed incumbent of the number eight jersey, Jean-Luc du Preez, who took a knock in training. 

On Kriel retaining the captaincy, Erasmus told SA Rugby: “Siya was touch and go for the match earlier in the week after picking up a niggle a few weeks ago.

“And we didn’t want to risk him unnecessarily, but with Jean-Luc du Preez having picked up a niggle at training this week, Siya was the obvious choice to slot in at number eight.

“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.

“He’s a great leader and one of the core players in our team. His communication with the referee and his team-mates is good, and he leads by example in the way he plays, so he deserves this opportunity.

“It will also 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.”

The star centre joins his legendary partner Damian de Allende in midfield – a stalwart partnership that has brought the Boks so much success and consistency over the years.

On Saturday, the mighty duo will extend their record of being the Boks’ most-capped centre pairing to 39.

It is set to be a truly incredible achievement for Kriel, captaining the side for the first time against the All Blacks at a formidable stronghold, a fortress where the defences have not been broken since 1994.

READ MORE: Rugby Championship news: Game management key as Handre Pollard carries Springboks to much-needed win

All Black icon clinches 100th Test

Iconic back rower Ardie Savea is set to become the 15th All Black to join the 100-Test club this weekend, vice-captaining the side in their aim to staunchly fend off their long-standing rivals and uphold one of international rugby’s most renowned and distinguished records.

Razor was delighted when speaking on Savea’s inclusion, lauding the flanker’s tremendous effort and performances over his career.

“Ardie embodies everything that makes an All Black. He brings an extraordinary level of passion, leadership, and mana every time he pulls on the jersey,” Robertson said, quoted on Supersport.

“We will honour his milestone with a performance that reflects not just his quality on the field, but the example he sets every day.”

Records made to be broken

The Boks currently hold a four-match winning streak against the All Blacks, and another win for the visitors this weekend will right the wrongs of a devastating loss at the Garden of Eden back in 2013, as well as shatter the ABs’ formidable record at the ground.

This clash of international rugby’s most fierce, dominant, and illustrious titans comes to a head this Saturday, September 6.

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All Blacks’ 23

Starting

1 Ethan de Groot (34 caps)   

2 Codie Taylor (100)   

3 Fletcher Newell (27)    

4 Scott Barrett (83) (captain)    

5 Tupou Vaa’i (42)  

6 Simon Parker (1)  

7 Ardie Savea (99) (vice-captain)   

8 Wallace Sititi (11)  

9 Finlay Christie (25)  

10 Beauden Barrett (138)   

11 Rieko Ioane (85)   

12 Jordie Barrett (73) (vice-captain)   

13 Billy Proctor (6)   

14 Emoni Narawa (3)  

15 Will Jordan (46)  

Replacements

16 Samisoni Taukei’aho (35)  

17 Tamaiti Williams (19)  

18 Tyrel Lomax (45)  

19 Fabian Holland (5)    

20 Du’Plessis Kirifi (4)  

21 Kyle Preston (debut)

22 Quinn Tupaea (17)  

23 Damian McKenzie (66)

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Springboks’ 23

Starting

15 Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 100 caps, 75 points (15 tries)

14 Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath) – 42 caps, 111 pts (18t, 3 conversions, 5 penalties)

13 Jesse Kriel (captain, Canon Eagles) – 82 caps, 95 pts (19t)

12 Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 90 caps, 55 pts (11t)

11 Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls) – 16 caps, 40 pts (8t)

10 Handré Pollard (Vodacom Bulls) – 83 caps, 812 pts (8t, 122c, 171p, 5 drop goals)

9 Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 21 caps, 25 pts (5t)

8 Siya Kolisi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 94 caps, 65 pts (13t)

7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 89 caps, 60 pts (12t)

6 Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 29 caps, 15 pts (3t)

5 Ruan Nortjé (Vodacom Bulls) – 9 caps, 0 pts

4 Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 135 caps, 35 pts (7t)

3 Thomas du Toit (Bath) – 26 caps, 5 pts (1t)

2 Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 80 caps, 115 pts (23t)

1 Ox Nché (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 43 caps, 0 pts

Replacements

16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls) – 5 caps, 10 pts (2t)

17 Boan Venter (Edinburgh) – 3 caps, 5 pts (1t)

18 Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 20 caps, 0 pts

19 Lood de Jager (Wild Knights) – 69 caps, 25 pts (5t)

20 Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 55 caps, 50 pts (10t)

21 Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers) – 42 caps, 70 pts (14t)

22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) - 11 caps, 54 pts (15c, 8p)

23 Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 1 cap, 0 pts

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