'The All Blacks are on fire': All Blacks vs South Africa preview
The global rugby landscape changed over the weekend as the All Blacks returned to number one in the world rankings after a two-year hiatus with a 36-13 win over Argentina.
The win came just hours after South Africa lost their second match in a row to Australia, which now leaves Ian Foster’s side ten points clear at the top of the Rugby Championship table with back-to-back matches between the world champions and world number ones now upon us.
When, where and how to watch the match
The match will kick-off at 19:05 (NZST) on Saturday September 25th at the Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville.
It will be broadcast on SKY Sport in New Zealand, Stan Sport in Australia, Supersport in South Africa, ESPN in South America and Sky Sports in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Head-to-head
Saturday will be the 100th encounter between the two teams, with the All Blacks winning 59 matches and the Springboks winning 36 since their first meeting in 1921, with four draws. The All Blacks have won eight of the last ten matches between the two, although their last Rugby Championship Test ended in a 16-16 draw. The All Blacks won their last match, a pool stage clash in the 2019 World Cup, though South Africa went on to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.
Match odds from bet365
bet365 have the handicap on the All Blacks at -11, with 13/4 odds that Jacques Nienaber’s Springboks win. There are also 28/1 odds of the two sides producing a draw, as they did in their last Rugby Championship encounter.
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Prediction
Following the All Blacks’ impressive display against the Pumas on Saturday, South African journalist Mark Keohane said on Twitter that Foster’s side are “on fire,” with four bonus point wins from four.
However, he did not rule out a victory for the World Cup winners, but said it would be a case of “winning ugly” if they were going to get the victory. Though winning the Rugby Championship seems highly unlikely for South Africa, as they need to overturn a ten point deficit in the table and a points difference of 90, there is always a huge amount riding on this fixture and Saturday will be no different with the number one ranking at stake.
The @AllBlacks are on fire. If you love rugby, you simply have to have loved watching them in 2021 @RugbyChampionsh If you know rugby, you can’t but applaud the way they have played & what they have achieved. #Springboks #AllBlacks
— Mark Keohane (@mark_keohane) September 20, 2021
Any @Springboks success against @AllBlacks would be a case of winning ugly and at this juncture all of South Africa would take a win, no matter how it is fashioned. #Springboks #AllBlacks
— Mark Keohane (@mark_keohane) September 20, 2021
*Odds accurate as of 20/09/21. BeGambleAware.org 18+ Gamble Responsibly
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
9 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
9 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
9 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
9 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments