Springboks v All Blacks second Test: Things worth knowing
- 1243
New Zealand must beat reigning world champions South Africa there on Saturday to have a chance of retaining the Rugby Championship.
Cape Town has always been a happy hunting ground for the All Blacks, but a 31-27 victory by the Springboks saw them build an eight-point lead halfway through theSANZAAR competitions
New Zealand have won seven of the 10 test matches played in Cape Town, including four of five in the professional era.
Here are a few things to know in the build up to the which will be played in front of a crowd of 60,000.
Chasing a record
South Africa will am to make it four consecutive wins over New Zealand for the first time in the professional era after edging their greatest rivals in a Johannesburg thriller last weekend.
The run of victories began a month before the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France with the Springboks taking advantage of the red-carding of All Blacks lock Scott Barrett to triumph 35-7 in London.
They clashed again in the World Cup final and New Zealand again had to play more than half the match a man short after captain Sam Cane was sent off, leading to a 12-11 loss.
13 Last men standing
The Springboks matchday 23 will include 13 of the players who featured in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final triumph over the All Blacks,a lineup that includes recalled fly-half Pollard, whose four first-half penalty goals from four attempts proved decisive at the Stade de France.
There were also 13 survivors from the All Blacks matchday 23, including the Barrett brothers, centre Jordie, skipper Scott and replacement back Beauden.
The same three referees who handled the Johannesburg Test last Saturday will be involved in the rematch in Cape Town.
But only Australian assistant Jason Way will have the same task with Ellis Park referee Andrew Brace from Ireland and English assistant Matthew Carley switching roles.
There will be a change of TMO (television match official) with Ian Tempest from England taking over from Brian MacNeice of Ireland.
