New Zealand won the first test but all the stats point towards a Springbok side that should have won but failed to take opportuntiies. We are backing that to change in Cape Town on Saturday.
Key Stats - South Africa can Bounce Back
- South Africa have won 12 of their last 13 matches.
- South Africa have won 5 of their last 7 matches against New Zealand.
- New Zealand have won their last 8 matches (4 provincial).
- New Zealand won the 1st Test of this series.
- New Zealand's Will Jordan has scored 53 tries in 58 matches.
Overall New Zealand, Recently South Africa
New Zealand hold the overall record but South Africa have had the better of recent fixtures. However, New Zealand did win last weekend in the opening game of the series.
South Africa Lost but in Great Form
South Africa were on a 12-match unbeaten run coming into this tour but that ended last week when New Zealand got the better of them at Ellis Park. That won't be too concerning for Rassie Erasmus and his charges, because the defeat, while by 16 points, was by tiny margins.
The Springboks dominated much of the match but failed to convert their opportunities while the All Blacks too advantage of theirs. But, given the scrum dominance by the hosts last week, New Zealand are in for a tough afternoon.
We knew the Boks would be undercooked last week, we said as much in our preview, but this week their are no excuses. The hosts need to show up and take their opportunities to build scoreboard pressure on the All Blacks.
New Zealand Improving under Rennie
New Zealand were excellent last weekend in the first Test. They fronted up physically and took their opportunities when they came around.
But there will be major concerns in the All Blacks camp considering how the Springboks dominated at scrum time. Regardless of the win, New Zealand will recognise the dominance South Africa had for large periods and need to fix that.
Should the game play out in a similar vein, one would imagine the Springboks win this comfortably. The All Blacks need to get parity at set piece, so that their dangerous backline can thrive.
News & Lineups
Rassie Erasmus named his side on Monday but there have been changes since. Handre Pollard has gone down with a calf injury which means Sacha-Feinberg Mngomezulu starts at 10 and Manie Libbok comes into the 23. Siya Kolisi is also fit and captains while Cheslin Kolbe has also been declared fit.
South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Morne van den Berg, 23 Manie Libbok.
New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Patrick Tuipoluto, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Josh Moorby