Pressure is high on both sides, with the All Blacks having recently suffered a loss to the Pumas in Argentina, while the back-to-back world champions have their title to defend.

Centre Jesse Kriel retains the captaincy, despite Siya Kolisi making a full recovery from the knee injury that was initially expected to keep him sidelined. Kolisi will once again don the number 8 jersey. 

Jean-Luc du Preez was set to start at the back of the scrum but sustained an injury during training, prompting Kolisi to be named in the run-on side.

Handré Pollard. Photo: Johan Orton

With just nine caps to his name, Bulls lock and captain Ruan Nortjé is the least experienced player in the starting XV.

The Boks have also chosen to stick with the tried and trusted by naming the same starting backline that beat the Wallabies 30-22 in Cape Town, with experienced Handré Pollard marshalling the backs.

Speaking about the captaincy, coach Erasmus said it was only fair to retain Kriel as captain, as he was originally meant to lead the team in the crunch Test at Eden Park.

“Siya was touch-and-go for the match earlier in the week after picking up a niggle a few weeks ago, and we didn’t want to risk him unnecessarily. But with Jean-Luc du Preez picking up a niggle at training this week, Siya was the obvious choice to slot in at No 8.“At that stage, Jesse had already been told he would be captain, and it was only fair to keep things that way. He’s a great leader and one of the core players in our team. His communication with the referee and his teammates is excellent, and he leads by example in the way he plays, so he deserves this opportunity.

“It will also be a big occasion for him to captain the team against the All Blacks for the first time, so we are proud of Jesse and know he’ll carry this responsibility with great pride.”

Erasmus added that, with their counterparts having named a strong team, he had to go with the tried and trusted as the Boks aim for a first win at Eden Park in 88 years.

Cheslin Kolbe. Photo: Johan Orton

“They’ve announced a quality team with a strong forward pack and exciting backs, so we are under no illusion about the challenge ahead.

“There have been a few big scores between the sides in the past, but also many tight battles. The most important aspects for us will be to execute our game plan as best we can, fight fire with fire, and be effective in every area of our game.

“Every point will count, so we need to be sharp mentally and physically, and leave nothing out on the field.”

Saturday’s Test at Eden Park kicks off at 09:05.

All Blacks - 15 Will Jordan, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot

Replacements - 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Fabian Holland, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Damian McKenzie

Springboks - 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel (captain), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nché

Replacements - 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Ethan Hooker

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs