With the mega event less than two weeks away, the two Southern Hemisphere giants are ready to take on each other in a so-called warm-up game at the home of Rugby.
These two heavyweights of the sport have faced each other 104 times. In these head-to-head games, All Blacks are way ahead with 62 wins; South Africa has won 38 matches, while four games have ended as draws. If we look at the last ten games between these sides, New Zealand has won six; South Africa came victorious in three games, and one ended as a draw.
All Blacks vs Springboks Rugby Streaming Info, Venue, Date, and Time:
* Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London
* Date: Friday, August 25
* Time: 2:30 pm EST / 7:30 pm BST / 8:30 pm SA Time / 6:30 am (Saturday NZT Time)
* Live Stream anywhere: Watch Live Here
All Blacks vs Springboks Rugby World Cup Warmup match preview
Known as the home of football and the most extended Rugby-only stadium (82,000+ seating capacity), Twickenham Stadium will be packed when the two fierce rivals of international rugby and best teams over the last year, take on each other with many of the superstars, including Cheslin Kolbe, Beauden Barrett, Siya Kolisi, Sam Whitelock, Faf de Klerk and Ardie Savea in it.
Both teams played at the same venue in the semi-final of the 2015 World Cup edition, where All Blacks came victorious by 20-18 after a tense battle, thanks to mercurial Beauden Barrett’s late effort.
Although this fixture is seen as a warm-up match, it never looks like when these two sides meet on the ground, and this time will be no different. Not long ago, both sides competed against each other, where All Blacks secured victory by 35-20 after an electrifying start.
Since then, All Blacks have won all two games they’ve played (both vs. Australia, 38-7 and 23-20). Meanwhile, South Africa has beaten Argentina twice (22-21 and 24-13) and Wales (52-16) once, a game where Damian Willemse was booked and is likely to miss this upcoming fixture.
“We pride ourselves on our set pieces, and our attack and defense will always be vital, so that it will take a good squad effort from the team on Friday. Every time we take the field, we strive to play the perfect game.”
“We are playing in the Springbok jersey at one of the top stadiums in the world in front of 80 000 people against a team with which we share one of the greatest rivalries, so this is not a warm-up match for us; it is a Test match,” stated Etzebeth on Tuesday.
“We’ll give everything this week and worry about the World Cup after Friday’s game.
“If things go well for us, it could also give us confidence going into the World Cup, so this is a massive game for us.” He further added.
“We have to get better going into France. We’re on the side of the draw that’s knockout from game one, and to get out of our pool will be a challenge.
“Everyone would know that we aim to go back-to-back and retain the World Cup, and we can’t hide from it. We want to be the second team to defend it successfully, and the bonus would be that we’d be the best first team to win four world cups.” Coach Jacques Nienaber stated.
“It’s a massive thing that we’re playing for, and you can talk around it, but that’s our goal – and to achieve it, we’ll have to get better.” He further added.
Springboks Starting Lineup:
15.Damian Willemse 14. Kurt-Lee Arendse 13. Canan Moodie 12. Andre Esterhuizen 11. Makazole Mapimpi 10. Manie Libbok 9. Faf de Klerk 8. Duane Vermeulen 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit 6. Siya Kolisi (c) 5. Franco Mostert 4. Eben Etzebeth 3. Frans Malherbe 2. Malcolm Marx 1. Steven Kitshoff
Replacements:
16.Bongi Mbonambi 17. Ox Nche 18. Trevor Nyakane 19. Jean Kleyn 20. RG Snyman 21. Marco van Staden 22. Cobus Reinach 23. Willie le Roux
If we look at the All-Blacks team, Ian Foster has named a strong lineup for their final game before the mega event, including all three Barrett brothers. He has also selected the same backline that played against the same opponent last month.
Talking more about the lineup, Sam Whitelock will replace injured Brodie Retallick at flanker; Luke Jacobson will replace Shannon Frizell at the second row, and Codie Taylor by Dane Coles at hooker.
All Blacks Starting Lineups:
15.Beauden Barrett 14. Will Jordan 13. Rieko Loane 12. Jordie Barrett 11. Mark Telea 10. Richie Mo’unga 9. Aaron Smith 8. Ardie Savea 7. Sam Cane 6. Luke Jacobson 5. Scott Barrett 4. Sam Whitelock 3. Tyrel Lomax 2. Dane Coles 1. Ethan de Groot
Replacements:
16.Samisoni Taukei’aho 17. Tamaiti Williams 18. Fletcher Newell 19. Josh Lord 20. Tupou Vaa’i 21. Dalton Papali’i 22. Cam Roigard 23. Anton Lienert-Brown
Tickets:
Tickets are available at the ticketing site ticketmaster.co.uk, starting from £61.95
Where I Can stream All Blacks vs Springboks Rugby today
United Kingdom:
Fans living in United Kingdom will be able to stream the heavyweight fixture through Sky Sports Mix.
Serbia / North Macedonia:
Rugby fans in Serbia and North Macedonia will have to tune in to Arena Sport 6 SRB to stream the anticipated fixture.
Spain: Movistar Deportes
Movistar Deportes will broadcast the All-Blacks vs South Africa fixture in Spain.
United States:
In United States, FloRugby / FloSports app will stream the fixture.
Outside the United Kingdom:
If you live outside of United Kingdom, ITVX can be your platform to stream the game by using Express VPN.
