Match details: All Blacks vs South Africa, Sunday 8 September, 3am NZ time, DHL Stadium, Cape Town

Played: 107

Wins: All Blacks 62, South Africa 41, Draw 4

Last match: All Blacks 27, South Africa 31, Ellis Park, Johannesburg, 31 August 2024

Judge: Matthew Carley (England)

MCKENZIE’S CHANCE

First five-eighth Damian McKenzie will be up against a more traditional South African opponent, with Handre Pollard returning to the starting role. McKenzie should find this more helpful in establishing a tactical plan for moving the All Blacks around the pitch, and not having to worry about the erratic play of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who is out. McKenzie will be looking to build on the significant advantage he has in breaking assists for New Zealand, having provided 10 assists in the competition so far, seven more than any other player.

DRIVING FROM THE FRONT

Springboks captain Siya Kolisi has postponed surgery to set a broken nose to lead the team in the second Test against the All Blacks. He would have to miss the rest of the Championship if he chose the surgery option. He was doubtful about the Test but went through the team’s training sessions. He will wait until after the first match against Argentina before undergoing surgery, which will require three weeks of recovery. Coach Rassie Erasmus joked that his main concern about Kolisi playing without surgery is that he could sustain more damage and end up looking like his teammate Kwagga Smith.

CHAT STATISTICS

South Africa have won the last three Tests against New Zealand. Their only longer winning streak is a six-match series between the second Test in Christchurch in 1937 and the fourth Test in Port Elizabeth in 1949. However, the All Blacks can respond with their performances in Cape Town, where they have played four of the last five Tests. New Zealand have made 22 line-breaks in the Rugby Championship this year, four more than any other team, and their 3.6 points per entry into the opposition 22m zone is the best of any team. South Africa have crossed the line with 64 per cent of their overs in the Championship this year, six points better than any other team, while their tackle success rate of 89 per cent is the best of any team. New Zealand maintained their 100 per cent scrum success rate last week, while South Africa are last in the Championship on 85.7 per cent, and in out-and-out action New Zealand still lead with 91.5 per cent compared to the hosts’ 87.1 per cent.

SEE ALL OVER THE WORLD

NZR+ is broadcasting the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship direct to territories that don’t traditionally receive live coverage. Read the full story HERE to find out how you can watch the game.

TEAMS

New Zealand: 1. Tamaiti Williams (10), 2. Codie Taylor (90), 3. Tyrel Lomax (37), 4. Scott Barrett (73-captain), 5. Tupou Vaa’i (31), 6. Wallace Sititi (2 ), 7. Sam Cane (97), 8. Ardie Savea (87), 9. Cortez Ratima (5), 10. Damian McKenzie (53), 11. Mark Telea (14), 12. Jordie Barrett (63 ), 13. Rieko Ioane (74), 14. Sevu Reece (27), 15. Will Jordan (34).

Subs: 16.Asafo Aumua (12), 17.Ofa Tu’ungafasi (62), 18.Fletcher Newell (19), 19.Sam Darry (4), 20.Luke Jacobson (21), 21.TJ Perenara (85) ) ), 22.Anton Lienert-Brown (76), 23.Beauden Barrett (129).

South Africa: 1.Ox Nche (34), 2.Bongi Mbonambi (73), 3.Frans Malherbe (74), 4.Eben Etzebeth (125), 5.Ruan Nortje (3), 6.Siya Kolisi (87), 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (82), 8.Jasper Wiese (28), 9.Grant Williams (35), 10.Handre Pollard (74), 11.Cheslin Kolbe (36), 12.Damian de Allende (83), 13.Jesse Kriel (74), 14.Canan Moodie (10), 15.Willie le Roux (96).

Substitutes: 16.Malcolm Marx (70), 17.Gerhard Steenekamp (5), 18.Vincent Koch (55), 19. Kwagga Smith (46), (22), 20.Elrigh Louw (7), 21.Jaden Hendrikse (15) 22.Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (7), 23.Lukhano Am (37).