WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Ardie Savea will make his 100th test appearance for the All Blacks while scrumhalf Kyle Preston will make his debut from the bench in Saturday’s test against South Africa, a Rugby Championship match being billed as the biggest of the year.
No. 1-ranked New Zealand will play No. 2 South Africa in a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final and at Eden Park, where the All Blacks are unbeaten in 50 tests since 1994.
All Blacks head coach Robertson once again has tinkered with his lineup, responding to injuries without making wholesale changes after the .
Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus also has placed an accent on consistency, making four changes to the starting lineup which 30-22 in Cape Town.
South Africa’s most-capped player Eben Etzebeth returns for his 136th test, to lock the scrum with Ruan Nortje. Siya Kolisi returns from injury in one of two backrow changes, playing again at No. 8, while Pieter-Steph du Toit returns at flanker.
Willie le Roux will start his 101st test at fullback in the only backline change.
On the bench Jan-Hendrik Wessels replaces Marnus van der Merwe at hooker, Kwagga Smith takes the vacancy left by Etzebeth and utility back Ethan Hooker was named in place of Andre Esterhuizen in a 5-3 split of forwards and backs.
“We selected the best possible team we could for the match, knowing that this is going to be an epic encounter against the All Blacks at Eden Park and many of these players have done the job for us before against them,” Erasmus said.
In the All Blacks, Finlay Christie will start at scrumhalf and Preston will be on the bench as Robertson responds to injuries to frontline scrumhalves Cam Roigard, Noah Hotham and Cortez Ratima.
Ratima injured his ribs in the test against Argentina at Buenos Aires which the All Blacks lost 29-23. Preston sustained an ankle injury in training this week but has been passed fit.
Robertson also has recalled Wallace Sititi at No. 8. Sititi was World Rugby’s Breakout Player of the Year in 2024 but since has been restricted by injuries.
Tupou Vaa’i moves from the blindside flank to lock, where he will partner captain Scott Barrett, while Simon Parker has been retained to play his second test on the side of the scrum.
Robertson has surprisingly retained Rieko Ioane on the left wing while recalling Emoni Narawa to play his fourth test on the right wing. Ioane’s form has been inconsistent this season and he lacks ability in the aerial contest which likely will be a feature of Saturday’s game.
Props Tamaiti Williams and Tyrel Lomax and lock Fabian Holland will start on the bench and likely will be called on late to counter the Springboks’ “bomb squad” of impact players.
Savea will be the 15th All Black to play 100 tests and the second in consecutive matches to reach the milestone. Hooker Codie Taylor played his 100th test in Buenos Aires.
“Ardie embodies everything that makes an All Black,” Robertson said. “He brings an extraordinary level of passion, leadership, and mana (status) every time he pulls on the jersey.
“We will honor his milestone with a performance that reflects not just his quality on the field, but the example he sets every day. ”
Robertson noted that Savea would be one of three 100-test All Blacks in the match day 23 to play South Africa, while Kyle Preston would be joined by three other players who have made a test debut this year.
South Africa has beaten New Zealand in their last four meetings, but hasn’t won at Eden Park since 1937.
All teams have 1-1 records ahead of this weekend’s matches. South Africa is coming off a narrow win over the Wallabies on Aug. 24 that followed an at Ellis Park the previous week.
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New Zealand: 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. Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Tyrel Lomax, Fabian Holland, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Kyle Preston, Quinn Tupaea, Damian McKenzie.
South Africa: Wille Le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel (captain), Damian De Allende, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Grant Williams; Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Standen, Ruan Nortje, Eben Etzebeth, Thomas du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Ox Niche. Reserves: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Boan Venter, Wilco Louw, Lood de Jager, Kwagga Smith, Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker.
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