New Zealand are currently in South Africa for the one-off ‘Greatest Rivalry’ Series, where they will play four Tests between them, and the All Blacks are already 1-0 up.
Across 10 Rugby World Cups, these two have played each other six times, with the head-to -head record currently at 3-3.
But South Africa will argue they won the two that really mattered: they beat them in the famous 1995 final that featured Jonah Lomu for the All Blacks (15-12 after extra time) and then again in 2023, winning 21-11 in a tight, tactical battle in Paris.
Best Bet: Back New Zealand +5.5 Points
A trip to South Africa is arguably the biggest challenge in international rugby for any side, which, in addition to having to deal with the most successful team over the past decade, also has to handle the pressure of one of the most intimidating and partisan crowds in all international sport.
But it’s a challenge the All Blacks handled beautifully last Saturday, and the momentum and confidence gained from that win could well see them win here again. But if a second win in a week at odds of 3.1 seems a bit of a stretch, then maybe the +5.5 handicap on New Zealand is more up your street.
This really could be attritional stuff, and with SA possibly reverting to a more possession-dominated game, things could be tighter than the rather open game last week.
Either way, the All Backs rate a decent bet at 1.85 on the +5.5 handicap- a win, draw or defeat by five points or less for New Zealand- and you’ll have a winning wager.
Players to Watch
For New Zealand, that man Jordan will be crucial to their chances, operating off the right wing. We saw last Saturday just how dangerous he can be when he gets the ball in his hands.
At the same time, captain Ardie Savea’s work rate and physicality will be a key antidote to South Africa’s aggressive and powerful approach, so Savea will need to put in a real shift here.
As for South Africa, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been handed the all-important fly-half role but wasn’t his best on Saturday and will need to step up a gear if he's going to be the creative playmaking force they need him to be.
Elsewhere, Damien Wilemse will combine hard tackling in defence with powerful runs when in possession, and a good all-round game from him would seriously improve SA’s chances of levelling the Series.
Then of course, there’s Cheslin Kolbe, the wing who scores tries and kicks conversions and penalties, so if the hosts are to win this game, it would be no surprise if Kolbe had plenty of points to his name by the end of it.
The ‘Greatest Rivalry’ Series
South Africa and New Zealand have been the two major powerhouses of international rugby union over the last few decades. They have won seven of the 10 World Cups between them, and all of the last five editions have been won by one or the other.
As if further proof was needed that these are the two dominant teams in international rugby union, they’re currently ranked first (South Africa) and second (New Zealand) in the World Rugby rankings.
The Greatest Rivalry Tour is made up of four matches against provincial sides – there have been three played at the time of writing, all won by New Zealand – plus Tests against the Springboks played at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town, FNB Stadium in Johannesburg and the last one played over in the US, in Baltimore.
