Springboks ready for their clash with All Blacks on Saturday

by Chumasande Matiwane

The Springboks are entering a highly anticipated showdown with the All Blacks, as rugby’s greatest rivalry returns to Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

Also see: SA rugby prop, Ox Nché, a Profmed professional thriving under pressure

The first Test of the four-match Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series will take place on Saturday, 22 August 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 5.10pm.  

The series marks the return of a full All Blacks tour of South Africa and will see the two rugby giants meet four times over the coming weeks. 

For the Springboks, the match represents another major test of the world champions’ depth and consistency under head coach Rassie Erasmus. 

Springboks face selection concerns

Head coach Rassie Erasmus is still waiting on the fitness of captain Siya Kolisi and prop Ox Nche before finalising his team for Saturday. 

According to Reuters, Kolisi is managing a hamstring problem while Nche has a knee niggle. Erasmus has delayed naming his side while the medical team assesses their fitness. 

Kolisi’s availability will be closely watched. The veteran loose forward remains one of the most influential figures in the Springbok squad, both on the field and as captain. 

The Boks do, however, have considerable depth. Erasmus named a 43-man squad for the clashes with New Zealand, with several experienced players returning from injury after missing South Africa’s July international campaign. 

Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is also back in contention after recovering from an ankle injury, adding another attacking option to the Springbok squad. 

Also see: How rugby continues to shape South African social culture 

4 Tests in 4 weeks

Saturday’s match is only the beginning. 

The two teams are scheduled to meet again at Cape Town Stadium on 29 August, followed by a Test at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on 5 September.  

The unusual four-Test format places additional importance on squad depth, recovery and tactical adaptability. 

One of the biggest questions will be whether the Springboks can impose their physicality without allowing New Zealand’s attacking game to dictate the tempo. 

Erasmus has rejected suggestions that South Africa intends simply to slow the game down against the All Blacks. He has pointed to the nature of previous encounters between the teams and stressed that the Springboks will have their own approach to the contest. 

With Kolisi and other key players still being assessed, Erasmus is expected to finalise his match-day squad later in the week. 

One thing is already certain: when the Springboks and All Blacks take the field at Ellis Park on Saturday, the rivalry will once again take centre stage. 

Also see: Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry gets an ‘extra smooth’ new chapter

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