The Springboks will depart for New Zealand on Tuesday, where they will face the All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland next Saturday, 6 September.
It’s a venue which is an incredible fortress for the All Blacks (who are on a 50-Test unbeaten streak at Eden Park), while the Springboks last tasted victory there way back on 25 September 1937 – some 88 years ago.
As the old saying goes, history is there to be broken, and so there will still be no shortage of interest when the Springboks do lock horns with the All Blacks next weekend.
For all the supporters in South Africa, it’s worth remembering that kick off will be at 09:05 (SA time), offering up some serious early morning entertainment on 6 September.
Springboks backing themselves against All Blacks
With everything still to play for in the Rugby Championship, Kwagga Smith said he is confident the Springboks can end the All Blacks’ dominance in Auckland.
“It’s a massive game, going to Eden Park,” Smith said. “I think even when we lost the other game in Auckland a few years back, I was also disappointed we didn’t play well.
“It’s going to be a tough game. New Zealand’s obviously a great opponent. But I think for us, it’s just trying to get better every game and taking that confidence and learning from every game that we play to get better.”
The Springboks play New Zealand on consecutive Saturdays – 6 and 13 September – in Auckland and Wellington, with both Tests kicking off at 09:05 (SA time).
Squad for the Rugby Championship Tests against New Zealand:
Forwards: Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Marnus van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Jasper Wiese.
Backs: Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse.
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