The Springboks are back in the winning column thanks to a 30-22 victory over the Wallabies, but they head to New Zealand with a point to prove.
Rassie Erasmus’ side still looked far from their brilliant best in the win over Joe Schmidt’s side last weekend, and only a 74th-minute score from Eben Etzebeth took them clear of the visitors, but you’d expect them to bring their A-game to Aotearoa.
Should South Africa beat the All Blacks next weekend, they would bring the historic 31-year unbeaten run at their spiritual home of Eden Park to a crushing end, while also putting some distance between themselves and their biggest rivals in the world rankings.
A win for the Boks would also get their Rugby Championship title defence right back on track as well, as they could climb to the top of the table at the halfway stage.
With all of these factors in play, it leaves Erasmus with a big call to make regarding his selection. He will be slightly cautious to change a winning team, especially given the manner of their defeat in the opening round as well, but the returns of Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Willie le Roux and Jan-Hendrik Wessels will likely give him some serious food for thought.
Here is our take on how the Boks could line up at Eden Park.
15 Aphelele Fassi
He didn’t have his best game in the Green and Gold last weekend, but when he’s on song, he’s a pivotal part of this new-look attack. His desire to carry the ball in space makes him a consistent weapon, and he backs that up with some clever game reading. Needs a big game to keep his place, though.
14 Canan Moodie
Another who hasn’t quite kicked on this Rugby Championship, but should retain his place given the injuries in the Boks’ wing unit. He did show his finisher’s mentality last weekend with a nice score, but his defence will need to come to the fore against an explosive All Blacks backline.
13 Jesse Kriel
Like the previous two, he’s not quite been at his best to date, but he thrives in big Tests like this. When he’s at his best, he’s such a classy operator on both sides of the ball, and that will be pivotal in neutralising the All Blacks’ midfield unit.
12 Damian de Allende
Made a welcome return to the side last weekend and should keep his spot as a result. His direct, powerful running against the grain gives the Boks a point of difference within this fast-paced attack, but he then almost acts as an extra back-rower with his breakdown work.
11 Cheslin Kolbe
When fit, the dazzling winger commands a starting spot, and he should do just that again this weekend. He is such an electric attacking threat, able to break through a defence with ease, and should again be their primary weapon.
10 Handre Pollard
The definition of a big game player, Mr Clutch should retain his starting shirt for this one. He consistently finds ways to keep a cool head when the pressure is on, and it certainly will be at Eden Park, which allows him to make the correct decision at just the right time to create a chance. Pollard is also ice-cold off the tee, which could prove the difference.
9 Grant Williams
Becoming a real mainstay in this side now, and should again get the nod to start. His pace both around the ruck and ball-in-hand makes him a real threat in attack, but he then gets the rest of the side playing at serious tempo too.
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8 Siya Kolisi (c)
With Jasper Wiese still banned, it seems likely that Kolisi will start at number eight. The skipper has been the emotional driver within this squad for some time now, and that will be so important if they want to win at Eden Park, and is among a group of returning heroes boosting the side this weekend.
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
Jordie Barrett will be having sleepless nights thinking about the return of Pieter-Steph du Toit, but it’s a welcome boost to the Springboks. The back-rower is another player in this side with proper big-Test experience, and given they are after a slice of history, that will be crucial. His defensive efforts are also going to be pivotal to their success.
6 Marco van Staden
He has arguably been the Boks’ standout player this Rugby Championship, and fully warrants a start at Eden Park. His work at the breakdown has helped give a platform for the backline to attack from, but backs that up with some serious physicality in the loose as well.
5 Lood de Jager
Lock is a pretty tough call, given the talent at Erasmus’ disposal, but De Jager could be the man named to start with five on his back. He just works tirelessly around the park, getting his body into positions it probably shouldn’t be in, and that is always going to help in a Test match. His work at the lineout also makes him a strong option.
4 Eben Etzebeth
He’s showing no signs of slowing down just yet, but his impact off the bench last weekend should see him promoted to the starting line-up this weekend. His try ultimately took the Boks to victory last time out, but around that, he brought heaps of physicality and effort up front to help get the better of the Wallabies pack. He also brings heaps of big Test experience, which will be so valuable to any potential win.
3 Wilco Louw
Arguably the best scrummaging tighthead in the world right now, Louw should come back into the starting line-up this weekend. The All Blacks scrum is firing well right now, and with the sheer size of Tamaiti Williams on this side, Erasmus will likely meet fire with fire.
2 Malcolm Marx
The set-piece is going to be a big aspect of this Test, and Marx has been spot on in that department this Rugby Championship. Around that, his work in the loose will help neutralise that of Codie Taylor, which could set the tone for the rest of the pack.
1 Ox Nche
Looking at his imperious best in the scrum, which is always a good thing for the Boks. Also continues to have an excellent effect around the park too.
Bench: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
The bench has become a story within itself for the Boks, and it should again see some changes for Eden Park. While the 6-2 split will remain in place, in a more traditional sense this weekend too, Marnus van der Merwe and Jan-Hendrik Wessels should come in after missing out on the 23 last time out, while Thomas du Toit, Franco Mostert, RG Snyman and Kwagga Smith should feature in this role after starting last weekend.
The back options will likely remain the same, with Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu both keeping their spots.