FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Final - New Zealand v South Africa - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - October 28, 2023 New Zealand's Ardie Savea and Samisoni Taukei'aho look dejected as South Africa players celebrate after winning the world cup final REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa will host old rivals New Zealand in the first of two home Rugby Championship meetings at Ellis Park on Saturday in a fixture that could have a major bearing on the destination of the title this year.
The All Blacks have largely had the better of the Springboks over the years, especially since the latter’s readmission to international rugby in 1992, but back-to-back Rugby World Cup wins for South Africa and a recent all-time record Test victory over New Zealand have changed the narrative.
South Africa thumped their greatest rivals 35-7 in London last August, and then won the World Cup decider 12-11 in Paris to claim a record fourth title.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is hailed as an innovator and in recently appointed attack coach Tony Brown, a former All Black flyhalf, they are attempting to implement a new expansive style to move away from relying on their traditional brute force alone.
But in many ways, New Zealand coach Scott Robertson is searching for the ‘old All Blacks’, whose aura of invincibility has slipped in recent years, not helped in this Rugby Championship by a 38-30 home loss to Argentina in Wellington.
"It was always unique coming over here and also just playing them, it’s a different brand of footy. I feel like they’ve evolved and they are playing a lot more attacking rugby now," New Zealand hooker Codie Taylor told reporters on Thursday.
"We really love coming here, it's (Ellis Park) an awesome arena to play in, we've talked about it being the greatest place to play against one of the most dominant rugby teams."
New Zealand have recalled experienced former captain Sam Cane to the side of the scrum and will also have current skipper Scott Barrett in the team at lock after he recovered from a broken finger.
South Africa’s lock crisis has eased slightly after Eben Etzebeth was passed fit to be on the bench, but they are still without five regulars. Flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit moves to the second row alongside Ruan Nortje, who earns a third cap.
But it is otherwise a largely first-choice selection from the hosts, who are seeking a third test win in a row over the All Blacks for the first time since 2009. They have won four of the previous six meetings.
"We just need to go out there, do our best, and make sure we don’t have any soft moments. We must be switched on all the time and be ready for whatever they throw at us," Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach said.
"Most of the players in their team have a unique skill of sorts, so we will have to be focused from the kickoff until the final hooter sounds."
South Africa lead the Rugby Championship table after two rounds following a full haul of 10 points from bonus-point wins in Australia. New Zealand are second with five points.
The second meeting between the sides will be in Cape Town on Sept. 7.
(Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Toby Davis)
