Rugby
Boks land in Auckland, fired up for All Blacks challenge─── MORGAN PIEK 07:58 Thu, 28 Aug 2025

The Springboks arrived in New Zealand just before midnight on Wednesday ahead of what promises to be two very challenging Rugby Championship Tests against the All Blacks.
The back-to-back world champions will take on the All Blacks in Auckland and Wellington, and these are must-win games if they are to defend their Rugby Championship title.
The All Blacks will be relying on their record at Eden Park for the first clash – a venue where they have won 50 consecutive Tests over the past 31 years. This includes the 2011 Rugby World Cup final, when they edged France 8-7.
Daan Human, the Bok’s scrum doctor. Photo: Morgan Piek
The Springboks did arrive in the Land of the Long White Cloud slightly earlier, giving them extra time to acclimatise – and travelling to New Zealand is not as common for the players as it was in the glory days of Super Rugby.
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus said that while the trip was long, the team travelled well and would be ready to meet the challenge head-on.
“We travelled well, and although it’s a long trip to New Zealand, we are excited to be here and are looking forward to the challenge ahead,” said Erasmus.
Rassie Erasmus. Photo: Morgan Piek
“It’s always tough playing here, but the group is in good spirits, and we are fully aware of the magnitude of the task ahead.
“With all four teams in the Rugby Championship having won one match so far, and with the standings very tight at this stage, there’s no doubt that the next two games will be crucial in our campaign. It’s good that we travelled early in the week.”
Erasmus also stressed the importance of acclimatising to the big difference in time zones and conditions, to ensure the team is not just sharp during the games, but in training too.
Duane Vermeulen, assistant coach. Photo: Morgan Piek
“The time zone and conditions are obviously very different from back home, so it’s important that we settle in as quickly as possible to ensure we are sharp in training and ready to be at our best when we face the All Blacks next weekend.
“We’ve worked out our training schedule this week in a way that allows the players to recover from the two physical matches against Australia, while at the same time steadily getting into the swing of things for the next two matches.
“So, we will have only two training sessions this week and then go full throttle into normal Test match mode from Monday.”
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Photo: Morgan Piek
Next Saturday’s Test between the All Blacks and the Springboks at the iconic Eden Park will kick off at 09:05.
Springbok squad for the Rugby Championship Tests against New Zealand:
Forwards: Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Ox Nché, Ruan Nortjé, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Marnus van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Jasper Wiese
Backs: Damian de Allende, André Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Handré Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morné van den Berg, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse