The Springboks head to Cape Town with the possibility of clinching the Rugby Championship title, but it’s by no means a given as they face the All Blacks.
As we do with all major Tests, we have selected a combined XV between both the starting Springboks and All Blacks line-ups.
Springboks-oriented backline
15. Will Jordan (New Zealand):The only Kiwi to feature in our combined backline this week is Will Jordan. The Crusaders back has impressed in this position at Super Rugby level, but the pressure will be on him now to get the All Blacks attack firing. He did slot in well when needed last weekend though, which showed he is capable of transferring his club form over to the Test stage at 15.
14. Canan Moodie (South Africa):The returning Canan Moodie slots straight into the 14 shirt in our XV. The Bulls back has had to bide his time due to injury, but has built up some solid minutes in the Currie Cup and could prove a good replacement for the impressive Kurt-Lee Arendse. Despite his age, he already boasts decent Test experience and helped the Springboks win the World Cup last year.
13. Jesse Kriel (South Africa): We said it last week, but is there a more in-form centre in world rugby right now than Kriel? He is possibly one of the Springboks players of the championship so far, and alongside his usual flashes of brilliance has added some brilliant defensive work and breakdown skills to rival any back-rower.
12. Damian de Allende (South Africa): Someone who will push Kriel close for that title though is his centre partner De Allende. Like Kriel, de Allende has really added a breakdown threat to his game, and has quickly become one of the leaders in this area for the Springboks. He also adds some serious punch to their midfield too and can charge through opposition defences. He just edges the brilliant Jordie Barrett.
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11. Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa): The ever-classy Kolbe again makes our combined XV. He is such a dynamic, pacey player, and could easily step a defender in a phone booth. There will be a bit more pressure on him to drive the attack forward this week with no Arendse on the other flank, but this should bring the best out of him. Caleb Clarke would have been in with a shout had he not been ruled out through injury.
10. Handre Pollard (South Africa): Has played second-fiddle to the talented Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu thus far in the Rugby Championship, but now is his chance to remind us of what he is capable of. His goal-kicking is up there with the best in the world, and as it was in the World Cup final it could be the difference between the teams. Tony Brown has also challenged him to play in a new way, and this is a good chance for him to prove he can do this.
9. Grant Williams (South Africa): Made a brilliant cameo from the bench last weekend, and fully warrants his spot in the combined XV. Williams loves to play with quick-ball and has proved to be a consistent threat around the ruck too, which will make him a handful for the All Blacks defence.
Tough calls upfront
8. Ardie Savea (New Zealand): Jasper Wiese can feel hard done by not being in this squad after his fantastic performance last week, but Savea was also top notch too. Savea is so important in getting the All Blacks consistently over the gain-line, which in turn gives them quick-ball to play from. His defensive efforts – both in the tackle and in the breakdown – are also vital to the success of his team.
7. Siya Kolisi(South Africa): Has brushed off a facial injury to make the starting team this weekend, and he just edges out fellow openside Sam Cane. His leadership has yet again been pivotal to the success of this Springboks side, and he will need to step up in this area in Cape Town again.
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6. Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa): Back in his more familiar spot at blindside flanker is Pieter-Steph du Toit. It goes without saying, but he is such a classy player in most aspects; but has added some lovely attacking flourishes to his game since Brown came into the fold and he has quickly become a frightening threat with ball-in-hand.
5. Scott Barrett (New Zealand): We’re cheating again in the row, sorry, as Scott Barrett jumps over into the five shirt. Barrett is one of those players every team needs, as he just gets stuck in and does the ugly work when needed. He will also be crucial to the success of the lineout.
4. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa): In a similar vein to PSDT, Etzebeth has added some delicious attacking flourishes to his game since the introduction of Brown, and it’s making him even more of a weapon for the Boks. His defensive work is also exceptional.
3. Tyrel Lomax (New Zealand): Passed the Ox Nche test last weekend, which is a feat in itself, but was also solid in most areas of the game. His scrummaging power might go under the radar compared to Tamaiti Williams, but he is the rock of the All Blacks scrum and allows it to be the weapon it is.
2. Bongi Mbonambi(South Africa): Continued his upward trajectory last time out, and just edges out Codie Taylor. Adds a lot of power around the park, and has allowed the Boks lineout to settle after a shaky start earlier this year.
1. Ox Nche (South Africa): Last but not least is loosehead Ox Nche. He is really solidifying his spot asthestarting loosehead in this Springboks side with some great performances and will be keen to make his mark again this weekend.
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