Rugby fans are in for a treat this weekend as the All Blacks host South Africa in what promises to be a pulsating Rugby Championship Test at Eden Park. New Zealand captain Scott Barrett has highlighted the anticipation around a duel that has rugby enthusiasts buzzing: Ardie Savea versus Siya Kolisi.
Savea Reaches a Century of Caps
For Ardie Savea, this game will be a milestone—his 100th Test cap for the All Blacks.
Facing him across the park will be South Africa’s back-row stalwart Siya Kolisi, a 94-Test veteran who has lifted the Webb Ellis Cup twice for the Springboks.
The matchup between these two seasoned players is shaping up to be one of the defining battles of the weekend.
Kolisi Will Play But Won’t Captain
Despite his presence on the field, Kolisi will not lead the Springboks this time.
A knee injury had put his participation in doubt, and Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus decided it would be unfair to strip the captaincy from Jesse Kriel, who had been preparing all week to lead the team.
Barrett praised Kolisi’s influence regardless of the captain’s armband:
“Siya, he’s a spiritual leader in their team, vastly experienced and he brings the physicality.
You know he’ll love that match-up against Ardie.
He’s huge for them, but Ardie leads with his actions on the park every time he puts that jersey on and I’m sure he’s going to deliver tomorrow night.
He rises to these occasions, you know, so hopefully we can make it memorable for him.”
The Pressure on the All Blacks
Barrett also acknowledged the intensity surrounding the clash.
The All Blacks are defending an unbeaten streak of 50 Tests at Eden Park that stretches back 31 years, and the build-up has added an extra edge to preparations.
“It certainly feels like there’s a bit more on this Test match.
We’ve talked about the 50-odd thousand crowd that are going to be in behind us, as well as the rest of the country.
The bigger the game, I guess the more refined your strategy and tactics need to be.
There’s going to be pressure moments and in those moments you want to be able to deliver.
We’ve just built the excitement for what is going to be a heck of a Test match.”
Learning From Past Losses
Barrett said the All Blacks have moved past the disappointment of last year’s loss to Argentina and taken lessons from two defeats against the Springboks in South Africa.
On both occasions, New Zealand had leads that South Africa overturned, giving the visitors a four-game winning streak over the All Blacks.
“We had a tough tour, with the Boks coming over the top both times, so we’ve certainly got that in the back of our mind,” Barrett explained.
Teams Set for the Big Clash
New Zealand (All Blacks): Will Jordan, Emoni Narawa, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie, Wallace Sititi, Ardie Savea, Simon Parker, Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett (captain), Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Tyrel Lomax, Fabian Holland, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Kyle Preston, Quinn Tupaea, Damian McKenzie
South Africa (Springboks): Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel (captain), Damian de Allende, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Grant Williams, Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje, Eben Etzebeth, Thomas du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche
Replacements: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Boan Venter, Wilco Louw, Lood de Jager, Kwagga Smith, Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker
Who Would You Pick in Your Team
The Savea-Kolisi showdown is sure to ignite debates among fans.
Who would you rather have in your lineup—Ardie Savea’s relentless aggression or Siya Kolisi’s leadership and power?