eBusiness Weekly
Ian Foster’s All Blacks side will hope to continue their fine run of form since the Rugby Championship.
South Africa face New Zealand for the second time in as many months as they gear up for the Rugby World Cup, which starts next month.
The two sides have dominated southern hemisphere rugby in recent seasons and, with the exception of perhaps France and Ireland, would each consider themselves favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.
Depending on how the teams fare in their groups, tomorrow’s contest could offer viewers a preview of a potential World Cup final.
The last time these two sides met was in the Rugby Championship in July, when New Zealand stunned the reigning World Cup champions to go 17 points ahead at half-time.
Despite a late Springbok fightback, it was not enough to challenge the All Blacks who won 35-20.
Some rugby pundits had written off the All Blacks’ chances at the World Cup following a disappointing season last year, in which they lost to Ireland twice on home soil and suffered a shock defeat to Argentina.
But their performance in the Rugby Championship has placed them firmly back in the running.
As both teams are playing away from home, the question over who would be given the home dressing room was decided by a light-hearted game of rock, paper, scissors between skippers Sam Kane and Siya Kolisi when they met last month in Auckland.
Kolisi won the contest, and with it the home changing room for South Africa.
New Zealand team news
Ian Foster has selected the same backline that helped beat the Springboks 35-20 during the Rugby Championship in Auckland last month.
Changes from that team include Luke Jacobson replacing Shannon Frizell at flanker, Sam Whitelock coming in for Brodie Retallick in the second row and Dane Coles replacing Codie Taylor at hooker.
Aaron Smith is at scrumhalf with Richie Mo’unga in the number 10 jersey, and Rieko Ioane making up the midfield pairing with Jordie Barrett.
The back three contains wings Mark Telea and Will Jordan, and Beauden Barrett.
Ardie Savea is at number eight with captain Sam Cane and Jacobson as flankers, the second row is made up of Scott Barrett and Whitelock, while props Tyrel Lomax and Ethan de Groot pack down either side of Coles.
South Africa team news
Jacques Nienaber has picked Canan Moodie, the 20-year-old who has impressed so far on the wing, to join Andre Esterhuizen in the centres.
Five of the forwards who started in the 52-16 demolition of Wales last weekend have been retained: Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit. Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert and Duane Vermeulen have been returned to the starting XV.
Makazole Mapimpi and Kurt-Lee Arendse are on the wings and Damian Willemse is picked at 15. — Telegraphsport
