Rugby
All Blacks to field over 1000 caps against Springboks─── MORGAN PIEK 07:48 Thu, 24 Aug 2023
The All Blacks have named a strong and experienced team to tackle the Springboks on Friday night in London. The matchday-23 has over 1000 Test caps, while the starting pack alone has over 500 of these.
The Test will be the second time this season that the two bitter-rivals get to face each other. Last month the All Blacks beat the Springbok 35-20 at the Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland during the Rugby Championship.
The Test will be a Rugby World Cup warm-up match, but earlier in the week the All Blacks as well as the Springboks stated that there is no such thing as a friendly when they play.
The flanker Luke Jacobson, who will earn his 15th cap, is in the run on side for the first time in his career. He will form the back row with captain Sam Cane and Ardie Savea.
The hooker, Dane Coles, will be running out for his 87th Test and his first game against the Springboks in close to four years.
The All Blacks coach, Ian Foster, said it’s important to use this opportunity to fine-tune ahead of the global showpiece that kicks off in France in September.
“This is our final game before the Rugby World Cup and this test is critical in our preparation,” said head coach Ian Foster.
“With just two weeks to go, it’s an important opportunity to get us battle-ready for the start of the tournament.
“These games are always intense and physically challenging, and I’m sure this one will be no different.”
Friday night’s Test at Twickenham kicks off at 20:30.
Springboks - 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Replacements - 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Willie le Roux
All Blacks -15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Mark Telea, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements - 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Josh Lord, 21 Dalton Papali’i, 22 Cam Roigard, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown
