The All Blacks haven’t lost at Eden Park since 1994, but Siya Kolisi’s back-to-back world champion Springboks have the pedigree to make history in Auckland next Saturday, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane argues that the Boks under Kolisi and Rassie Erasmus have the form, depth and belief to finally crack Eden Park – a venue where the All Blacks are unbeaten in 50 Tests over 31 years.
He notes that South Africa’s recent record under Erasmus is more telling than the broader 108-Test history between the sides.
“Since Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber took charge of the Springboks in 2018, there have been 13 Test matches. Erasmus’ Boks have won seven, drawn one and lost five. These seven victories include three wins on neutral grounds, and one each on Australia’s Gold Coast, at Twickenham, at the 2023 World Cup final in Paris, and in Wellington, New Zealand, where the Boks also drew 16-16 in 2019.”
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Kolisi’s captaincy has already delivered successive World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023, as well as a British & Irish Lions series triumph in 2021 and the Rugby Championship in 2024.
“No other nation has won successive titles away from home,” Keohane writes, emphasising that the current squad’s pedigree outweighs the weight of Eden Park history.
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Kolisi and Willie le Roux remain injury doubts, with Marco van Staden and Damian Willemse the likely replacements if they do not start. Erasmus, who has rotated heavily this season, is expected to pick his strongest available 23.
Keohane believes the match-day squad will mirror the one that beat the Wallabies 30-22 in Cape Town, with tweaks.
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“Expect to see Makazole Mapimpi replace Canan Moodie on the wing, Handre Pollard at No 10, Jean-Luc du Preez fit to play No 8, Ox Nché and Wilco Louw will be the starting props.”
“Erasmus will treat Eden Park like a World Cup final,” Keohane concludes. “His best available 23 will play.”
Photo: Kim Ludbrook/EPA
The post Boks primed to end Eden Park curse appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Siya Kolisi’s back-to-back world champion Boks have the pedigree to make history in Auckland next Saturday, writes MARK KEOHANE.
The post Boks primed to end Eden Park curse appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
