Share

All Blacks want to 'right a wrong' against Boks

Pretoria - New Zealand want to "right a wrong" when they confront arch-rivals South Africa on Saturday in a Rugby Championship final-round 'dead rubber' at Loftus Versfeld.

ALSO READ: 'All Blacks disrespected Boks in Wellington'

The All Blacks suffered a stunning defeat by the Springboks in Wellington last month and scrumhalf TJ Perenara says it is time to set the record straight.

"Once we celebrated clinching the title in Argentina last weekend our focus switched to South Africa and trying to right a wrong from a couple of weeks ago.

"Knowing that the Springboks beat us recently is disappointing and it hurts. We have a score to settle.

"A major motivating factor for us is improving match by match - failure to do so means we have failed.

"We want to grow day by day and week by week and we desperately want to beat the Springboks this weekend."

New Zealand outscored South Africa by six tries to five in Wellington, but four missed conversions from Beauden Barrett proved costly.

The match also had an unusual end with the usually ultra-clinical All Blacks knocking on as they pounded the Springboks defensive line.

Losing was a wake-up call for New Zealand, and centre Ryan Crotty said it dispelled a media view that the great All Blacks-Springboks rivalry had lost relevance.

"South Africa are one of the best Test nations in the world and it is always a massive challenge playing against them," he insisted, despite some big New Zealand wins recently.

"Sections of the media were suggesting that the rivalry had lost its edge because the All Blacks had achieved a few convincing victories.

"But the team that upset us in Wellington had outstanding players across the board and I am sure they will be in a good space mentally for the Pretoria Test."

Perenara and Crotty start on the bench in a team showing four changes from that which beat Argentina 35-17 to clinch a sixth Championship title with a match to spare.

Skipper and No 8 Kieran Read, tighthead prop Owen Franks and scrumhalf Aaron Smith are recalled and Jack Goodhue comes in to play alongside fellow centre Sonny Bill Williams.

"We know a lot about Ryan and Jack, but we don't know a lot about Sonny and Jack," explained coach Steve Hansen.

"All year we have been trying to work out what is our best combination in that area for the future and this is an opportunity to do that."

Winning in Wellington has not lulled South Africa into believing they are suddenly the masters of New Zealand, who have won four of five Tests at Loftus Versfeld stadium.

"The All Blacks usually hit back hard after a loss so we have to be mentally and physically ready for a massive contest," warned coach Rassie Erasmus.

"We will have to front up in defence and be clinical when creating chances because the All Blacks punish you for errors and missed opportunities.

"The Springboks versus the All Blacks at a packed Loftus - I think it is going to be a special occasion."

Hooker Malcolm Marx hopes South Africa can spend more time attacking after massive defensive efforts in victories over New Zealand and Australia.

"To defend like we did against the All Blacks and the Wallabies in the past two matches has been awesome, but we need to attack more," he stressed.

Erasmus changed three of the starters who repulsed waves of second-half Australian assaults to emerge 23-12 victors in Port Elizabeth last weekend.

Centre Damian de Allende, loosehead prop Steven Kitshoff and No 8 Francois Louw come in for South Africa, who will finish second whatever the result.

Saturday's Test is scheduled for 17:05.

Teams:

South Africa

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Francois Louw, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Damian Willemse

New Zealand

15 Ben Smith, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Karl Tu'inukuafe

Substitutes: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Richie Mo'unga, 23 Ryan Crotty

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
67% - 946 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
33% - 464 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE