The Springboks face a must-win showdown against the All Blacks in Cape Town on Saturday as they look to keep their hopes of winning the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Series alive.
After suffering a heavy defeat at Ellis Park last weekend, South Africa cannot afford another loss. A second defeat would leave Rassie Erasmus’ side unable to win the four-Test series.
The Springboks have responded by making several changes, with Siya Kolisi returning to the starting XV and Handré Pollard entrusted with the flyhalf role.
When is Springboks vs All Blacks?
- Match: South Africa vs New Zealand
- Date: Saturday, 29 August 2026
- Kick-off: 17:10
- Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
- Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
There has also been a late change to the officiating team. Nika Amashukeli was ruled out after failing to recover from illness, with Australia’s Angus Gardner stepping in as referee.
Springboks starting XV
- 15 Damian Willemse
- 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse
- 13 Jesse Kriel
- 12 Damian de Allende
- 11 Ethan Hooker
- 10 Handré Pollard
- 9 Cobus Reinach
- 8 Jasper Wiese
- 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
- 6 Siya Kolisi (captain)
- 5 Ruan Nortjé
- 4 Eben Etzebeth
- 3 Wilco Louw
- 2 Malcolm Marx
- 1 Ox Nché
Replacements: Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, André Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Morné van den Berg, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
All Blacks starting XV
New Zealand have also made several changes following their victory in Johannesburg.
- 15 Damian McKenzie
- 14 Will Jordan
- 13 Quinn Tupaea
- 12 Jordie Barrett
- 11 Leroy Carter
- 10 Ruben Love
- 9 Cam Roigard
- 8 Ardie Savea (captain)
- 7 Luke Jacobson
- 6 Simon Parker
- 5 Tupou Vaa’i
- 4 Fabian Holland
- 3 Tyrel Lomax
- 2 Codie Taylor
- 1 George Bower
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Patrick Tuipulotu, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown, Josh Moorby.
Match officials
- Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
- Assistant referee: Karl Dickson (England)
- Assistant referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
- TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
- FPRO: Eric Gauzins (France)
Springboks vs All Blacks: The numbers
South Africa and New Zealand have met 111 times, with the All Blacks holding the historical advantage.
- Springboks wins: 43
- New Zealand wins: 64
- Draws: 4
- South Africa points: 1,866
- New Zealand points: 2,302
- Springbok tries: 182
- All Blacks tries: 253
- South Africa win percentage: 37.7%
However, recent form gives the Boks plenty of reason for optimism. South Africa have won five of the last seven meetings between the teams dating back to August 2023.
The last Cape Town meeting came in the 2024 Rugby Championship, when the Springboks claimed an 18-12 victory.
Historic milestones on Saturday
Saturday’s Test could also produce several major personal milestones.
Pieter-Steph du Toit is set to win his 100th Springbok cap, becoming only the 11th South African player to reach the landmark.
Prop Ox Nché is also in line to make his 50th Test appearance, while Eben Etzebeth will extend his record as South Africa’s most-capped player to 144 Tests.
Should Deon Fourie come off the bench, he will become the oldest Springbok to play in a Test, at 39 years old.
Fourie would also be returning to international action for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final — coincidentally against New Zealand, when South Africa won 12-11.
Boks field most experienced starting XV ever
With Kolisi included, the Springbok starting XV boasts a combined 1,012 Test caps, the highest total ever fielded by South Africa.
The backline accounts for 428 caps, while the forwards have 584.
There are another 204 caps among the replacements, highlighting the enormous experience available to Erasmus.
The stage is set for another chapter in rugby’s greatest rivalry.
Can the Springboks bounce back in Cape Town and level the series?
