The All Blacks wrapped up their preparation with a 50-19 win over the Bulls, their third victory in three matches on South African soil. The stage is set, but both teams head into the first Test with unknowns.
The All Blacks wrapped up their preparation with a 50-19 win over the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, their third victory in three matches on South African soil after the Stormers and the Sharks. Eight tries, 24-0 at half-time: the stage is set. But both teams head into the first Test with unknowns.
Erasmus breaks with habit
SA Rugby confirmed that Rassie Erasmus would not name his squad until Thursday, whereas he had announced his twenty-three on Monday or Tuesday since the start of the year. The fitness of Siya Kolisi, who has a hamstring problem, remains uncertain; Pieter-Steph du Toit is the name most often mentioned for the captaincy should he miss out. Ox Nche, who injured his knee in the first Nations Championship match against England, is expected to be fit.
The fly-half position is the focus of attention. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu returned from injury against Argentina, and Manie Libbok and Handré Pollard remain available. Asked about the choice, Steve Hansen sees it mainly as a tactical indicator: a kicking game points to Pollard, a running game to one of the other two.
Four All Blacks already on their way home
New Zealand’s injury count keeps growing. Prop Ollie Norris went home on Sunday with knee cartilage damage, out for around six weeks. Wing Caleb Clarke has had surgery, centre Billy Proctor left with a shoulder injury, and so did hooker George Bell. Noah Hotham has been called up as cover for Cortez Ratima, who hurt his knee against the Bulls.
Then there are the doubts: Damian McKenzie (ankle), whom Dave Rennie described as the most worrying, Will Jordan (back), Cam Roigard (hamstring) and Xavier Numia (Achilles tendon). Richie Mo’unga, recalled to replace Proctor after a dispensation from the New Zealand Rugby board, arrived against this backdrop.
What recent history says
The two nations have met nineteen times since 2016: ten New Zealand wins, eight South African wins and one draw, in Wellington in July 2019. But the trend has reversed in recent years.
| Period | Tests | New Zealand | South Africa | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2016 | 19 | 10 | 8 | 1 |
| Since 2021 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 0 |
The Springboks have won four of the last five meetings in South Africa. New Zealand’s last win there dates back to 13 August 2022 (35-23). Since then, there has been the 2023 World Cup final lost by a single point (12-11) and, in September 2025, a 43-10 defeat at home.
Four Tests, a first in twenty years
The series format is out of the ordinary. You have to go back to 2006 to find four meetings between the two sides in the same calendar year, and to 1996 for a higher total. The first act is played on Saturday 22 August at Ellis Park.
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