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Parks

Unbeaten Record on the Line: South Africa Face Tasking Challenge Against New Zealand

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

New Zealand's Eden Park has been a fortress for the All Blacks, with 48 victories and two draws over the past 29 years. The last time the hosts lost a match at the venue was in 1994. This run is set to be tested on Saturday as South Africa, who have not played at Eden Park for 12 years, face the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship encounter. The Springboks have been on a winning streak against the All Blacks, with their last defeat coming in 2013. New Zealand's head coach, Scott Robertson, is encouraging his players to embrace the pressure of protecting the record, which he believes creates enough edge for the team.

Key Takeaways:

  • The All Blacks have not lost a match at Eden Park since 1994, a run that now stretches to 48 victories and two draws.
  • The Springboks have not played at Eden Park for 12 years, a period in which they have won the World Cup twice and have been recognised as the best team on the planet.
  • The Springboks have won their previous four matches against New Zealand, including the 2023 World Cup final in Paris, but have recently lost their No1 world ranking to the All Blacks.
  • Rassie Erasmus, the South Africa head coach, believes that the challenge of playing against the All Blacks in New Zealand, and winning for the first time in 12 years, is a massive motivation for the team.
  • The meeting at Eden Park is expected to be an intense and unpredictable encounter, with both teams still feeling their way into the international season.
  • Four players across the two teams on Saturday were involved in New Zealand's 29-15 victory in 2013, including Beauden Barrett, Willie le Roux, Eben Etzebeth, and Siya Kolisi.
  • Ardie Savea will win his 100th cap for the All Blacks, while Kyle Preston is likely to make his debut from the bench.

Statistics:

  • The All Blacks have played 50 matches at Eden Park since 1994, winning 48 and drawing two.
  • The Springboks have not played at Eden Park since 2011.
  • The All Blacks have been unbeaten at Eden Park since 1994, a period of 29 years.
  • The Springboks have won four of their last five matches against the All Blacks.
  • Siya Kolisi will win his 79th cap for South Africa, while Ardie Savea will win his 100th cap for New Zealand.
  • Kyle Preston will make his debut for the All Blacks from the bench.

Sources:

  • Rugby Championship website
  • BBC Sport
  • New Zealand Herald
  • The Guardian
  • South African Rugby Union website

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