South Africa vs New Zealand Preview: Team News & Prediction | Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour 2026 | First Test
by Rob Esteva ·
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
We have a blockbuster encounter from Ellis Park to look forward to as South Africa host New Zealand in the opening Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Test
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – RugbyPass TV
South Africa team news
Squad: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain), 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok
New Zealand team news
Squad: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Tupou Vaa'i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Anton Segner, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Leroy Carter
South Africa vs New Zealand prediction
Arguably the best two teams in world rugby meet on Saturday at Ellis Park as South Africa host the All Blacks in what promises to be an outstanding match.
South Africa have a good record against New Zealand in recent times having won five of their last six meetings and they will be confident although they have to do without captain Siya Kolisi.
The tourists have injury troubles of their own having already played three matches on this tour as prop Ollie Norris is the latest player to pick up a tour-ending injury.
Their head coach Dave Rennie has yet to suffer a loss during his tenure but he has not faced such a tough encounter like this.
The Springboks will be fired up in front of their home fans and we expect them to rise to the occasion. Team news is marginally in their favour, they have a good record and stylistic matchup against the All Blacks and with home support, they should have enough to get the win.
South Africa vs New Zealand tip: South Africa to win
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