Staying in the pack and Siya Kolisi<\/a> returns from a niggle in what will mark his second Test at number eight, but interestingly does not captain the side from the position. He is joined by Marco van Staden, who starts at number six with Pieter-Steph du Toit returning on the other side of the scrum.<\/p>\n The front-row remains unchanged with Ox Nche at loosehead, Malcolm Marx at hooker and Thomas du Toit at tighthead prop.<\/p>\n The only change in the backline is at full-back, where Willie le Roux will start his 101st Test after being forced to withdraw from the last clash against the Wallabies due to a niggle. Cheslin Kolbe and Canan Moodie are once again the starting wingers.<\/p>\n Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende will extend their record of playing the most Tests together in the midfield to 39, with the former captaining South Africa for the third time after taking charge of the team against Italy in July and Australia in their last Rugby Championship match in Cape Town.<\/p>\n The starting half-backs remain unchanged, as Grant Williams and Handre Pollard continue at nine and 10, respectively.<\/p>\n Springboks\u2019 record at Eden Park as Rassie Erasmus\u2019 men look to end 88-year hoodoo<\/a><\/p>\n Erasmus made three personnel changes to the bench, which features five forwards and three backs.<\/p>\n Jan-Hendrik Wessels takes over from Marnus van der Merwe at hooker and provides front-row cover with Boan Venter and Wilco Louw. Lood de Jager retains his position on the bench with RG Snyman and Franco Mostert both missing out.<\/p>\n Kwagga Smith returns to the bench to complete the forward cover, while Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Ethan Hooker are the backline replacements. Hooker is set to earn just his second cap for the Boks after debuting against Georgia in July.<\/p>\n All Blacks team: Scott Robertson down to his FOURTH choice scrum-half while wing star axed for Springboks clash<\/a><\/p>\n Kriel over Kolisi as captain<\/p>\n Commenting on the decision to hand the captaincy to Kriel rather than regular skipper Kolisi, Erasmus said: \u201cSiya was touch and go for the match earlier in the week after picking up a niggle a few weeks ago, and we didn\u2019t 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 No 8.<\/p>\n \u201cAt 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\u2019s a great leader and one of the core players in our team. His communication with the referee and his teammates is good, and he leads by example in the way he plays, so he deserves this opportunity.<\/p>\n \u201cIt will also be a big occasion for him to captain the team against the All Blacks<\/a> for the first time, so we are proud of Jesse, and we know he\u2019ll carry this responsibility with great pride.\u201d<\/p>\n The Boks head coach also reserved praise for All Blacks flanker Ardie Savea who will be playing in his 100th Test \u2013 a milestone that Erasmus says will no doubt fuel New Zealand\u2019s motivation.<\/p>\n \u201cPlaying 100 Tests is one of the most special milestones a player can achieve, and we\u2019d like to congratulate Ardie for reaching this feat,\u201d said the Bok coach.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s been a true servant to New Zealand rugby, and he deserves all the recognition that comes with that. It also doesn\u2019t get more special than playing at their fortress in such a massive game.\u201d<\/p>\n With the Test holding vast significance as the Springboks attempt to register their fifth victory in a row against the All Blacks and break their hoodoo at Eden Park \u2013 where they last won in 1937 \u2013 while the Freedom Cup is also on the line, Erasmus admitted that this match was momentous for both teams.<\/p>\n \u201cThe history and rivalry between the sides speaks for itself, and with all the permutations attached to this match, it makes it particularly noteworthy, so we are expecting it to be a proper grind,\u201d said Erasmus.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are records on the line for both teams, and there\u2019s no doubt that this game will be important in trying to win the competition, especially given how close the standings are at this stage. It\u2019s definitely going to be a special match, and both teams will give everything they out there.\u201d<\/p>\n The total Test caps in the Springbok starting line-up is 939 \u2013 the fourth highest combined total in SA rugby history. There are 434 caps in the backline, with 505 caps among the forwards. On the bench, there are a further 206 caps.<\/p>\n![\"Most](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Most-capped-Springboks-centre-partnerships-featuring-an-image-of-Damian-de-Allende-and-Jesse-Kriel-1.jpeg\")
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