South Africa v New Zealand LIVE: Latest scores and updates from Rugby Championship

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South Africa host New Zealand in the Rugby Championship this afternoon with the reigning world champions looking to edge closer to winning the title.

The Springboks, fresh off their World Cup victory last year, hope to add this trophy to their cabinet despite not triumphing in the tournament since 2019. Rassie Erasmus’ team sit top of the table following two impressive wins over Australia and a victory over the All Blacks in Johannesbury would see them have one hand on the trophy.

For their part, New Zealand arrive in South Africa having already suffered defeat – in their opener against Argentina – before hammering Los Pumas in the follow-up game to keep their hopes of winning the competition alive.

That sets the stage nicely for this afternoon’s clash. The All Blacks need a win against the Springboks to close the five-point gap at the top of the table, with a defeat likely leaving them with hopes of second place finish at best.

Follow all the action from Ellis Park Stadium with our live blog below as South Africa take on New Zealand:

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Rugby Championship results so far

The full results from the tournament so far are below:

New Zealand 42-10 Argentina

Chris Wilson31 August 2024 15:40

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Head-to-head

This will be the 107rd match between these two giants of world rugby, with the first match taking place in 1921.

The All Blacks have won 62 matches, with South Africa winning 40, including the most recent – the 2023 World Cup final.

Chris Wilson31 August 2024 15:35

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A reminder of the Rugby Championships standings ahead of a vital match.

1 – South Africa – P2, W2, 10pts

2 – New Zealand – P2, W1, L1, 5pts

3 – Argentina – P2, W1, L1, 4pts

4 – Australia – P2, L2, 0pts

Chris Wilson31 August 2024 15:30

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All Blacks expecting ‘feral’ reception for clash with Springboks at Ellis Park

Chris Wilson31 August 2024 15:20

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Line-ups

A reminder of how the two teams line up today.

South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Frans Malherbe; 4 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 5 Ruan Nortje; 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Ben-Jason Dixon , 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Cobus Reinach, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu; 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Cheslin Kolbe; 15 Aphelele Fassi.

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Kwagga Smith; 22 Grant Williams, 23 Handre Pollard.

New Zealand XV: 1 Tamaiti Williams, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax; 4 Scott Barrett, 5 Tupou Vaa’i; 6 Ethan Blackadder, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Ardie Savea; 9 TJ Perenara, 10 Damian McKenzie; 11 Caleb Clarke, 12 Jordie Barrett, 13 Rieko Ioane, 14 Will Jordan; 15 Beauden Barrett.

Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Mark Tele’a.

Chris Wilson31 August 2024 15:10

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Robertson on New Zealand’s ‘need’ of Sam Cane

Coach Scott Robertson expects former New Zealand captain Sam Cane to be “that Test veteran we need” on Saturday evening when the All Blacks take on the Springboks in Johannesburg.

Cane has been named in the All Blacks’ starting side for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final.

“Sam has been incredible off the field for us. Now’s an opportunity for him to be that Test veteran we need in the Highveld; all that experience and that calmness but also really good, tough shoulders,” Robertson told reporters on Thursday.

“We’re excited for him. Dalton’s got a bit of a thumb injury which ruled him out but there’s not much in it. Dalton played really, really well but we thought that was best for this Test and combinations.

“Obviously, Ethan’s (Blackadder) in great form and you’ve got Ardie Savea out there so it’s a good balanced loose forward trio.”

Chris Wilson31 August 2024 15:02

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All Blacks expecting hostile reception in South Africa

“Even the bus trip is pretty feral on the way in, to be fair,” said Ryan. “There are a few [hand] signals going on, and a few empty cans coming towards the window and that sort of thing.

“But I think in all honesty, it is coming from a good place. It is a hell of a rivalry, the Springboks and All Blacks. As much as they want to beat us, there is a good amount of respect there I feel.

“I know there is from us and we look forward to that.”

Chris Wilson31 August 2024 14:55

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Springboks given huge boost as Eben Etzebeth passed fit for All Blacks clash

Coach Rassie Erasmus omitted the double World Cup winner from his matchday 23 when he named it on Tuesday, but amid a crisis in the second row that sees the Springboks still without five regulars, he has drafted the giant lock into the replacements.

Etzebeth takes the place on the bench of flanker Marco van Staden and should he come on will earn a 125th cap, moving into second place outright on the all-time list for South Africa, two behind former lock Victor Matfield.

Chris Wilson31 August 2024 14:45

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South Africa v New Zealand prediction

South Africa look to continue their unbeaten start to the Championship but these two matches will definitely be their toughest tests of the tournament.

Luckily, the Springboks are at home, and Erasmus’ side will know they can do damage to a team that has already lost to Argentina. Add in the psychological advantage of the World Cup final win, and the advantage is clearly on South Africa’s side.

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Mike Jones31 August 2024 14:36

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New Zealand line-up

New Zealand XV: 1 Tamaiti Williams, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax; 4 Scott Barrett, 5 Tupou Vaa’i; 6 Ethan Blackadder, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Ardie Savea; 9 TJ Perenara, 10 Damian McKenzie; 11 Caleb Clarke, 12 Jordie Barrett, 13 Rieko Ioane, 14 Will Jordan; 15 Beauden Barrett.

Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Mark Tele’a.

Mike Jones31 August 2024 14:30



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