The All Blacks are ready to ‘take the Springboks deep’ into a dark place, as they seek to avenge last year’s World Cup Final loss.
Team management and players all week played down New Zealand’s one-point (11-12) loss to South Africa in Paris.
However, All Black captain Scott Barrett finally admitted the loss at the famed Stade de France in October still rankles with him.
Given that both teams – the Boks and All Blacks – have 13 survivors from the Final, Saturday’s encounter at the iconic Johannesburg venue will have some extra sting to it.
South Africa has chosen 10 in the run-on XV, with three on the bench.
New Zealand went for an 11-two split between starters and replacements.
The Boks that featured in the Paris Final are Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Handre Pollard, Cheslin Kolbe, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Ox Nche, Kwagga Smith and Jasper Wiese.
The returning All Blacks are Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Scott Barrett, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Mark Tele’a, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Will Jordan, Beauden Barrett, Tamaiti Williams, Damian McKenzie and Anton Lienert-Brown.
The All Black captain for Saturday’s Ellis Park rematch, Barrett spoke about a ‘well-rounded’ Boks team that can challenge you in an arm-wrestle, in the set pieces and have an improved attacking game.
“Even against Ireland [in July], they were playing an attacking game,” Barrett told a media scrum, adding: “We’re anticipating and are prepared for that.
“We are excited by that.”
While a win on Saturday removes the agonising pain Barret (and his teammates) felt in Paris, it could start a new season of dominance for the All Blacks.
(WATCH as All Black captain Scott Barrett reveals what is ‘motivating’ him ahead of the Rugby Championship face-off with the Springboks at Ellis Park….)
“I can’t change anything that happened from the Final,” Barrett said at his captain’s media briefing.
“[I] probably won’t ever get over that.
“It’s about this group turning up tomorrow [Saturday].
“Ellis Park against the Springboks, there’s no other Test like it and that’s what we’re excited about.”
Barrett’s only appearance in a Test at Ellis Park was a 35-23 win over the Boks in August 2022 – a week after a heavy loss in Nelspruit.
Apart from Barrett having a 100 percent record at Ellis Park, the last Bok win over the All Blacks at the Doornfontein venue was in October 2014 – the home team sneaking a 27-25 victory.
Barrett said they felt the altitude in training this week, but their ‘conditioning’ improved as the build-up progressed.
“We have adapted to the conditions,” he said, adding: “It is the same for both teams.
“We will look to play for 80 minutes and take the Springboks deep.”
Barrett broke into the All Blacks ranks in 2016 after several impressive seasons.
In 2017, Scott and brothers Beauden and Jordie were selected for the series against the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand, making history as the first trio of brothers to be named in the same All Blacks squad.
Scott Barrett scored a try during the record-breaking 57-0 victory against South Africa in Albany.
It was one of many highlights for the tallest Barrett, in an incredibly busy 2017, which saw him play 14 matches for the All Blacks, and he has continued in that vein this year.
Scott again joins brothers Jordie and Beauden in the All Blacks starting side this weekend.
The All Blacks skipper hasn’t featured for the national side since the compressive win over the Flying Fijians in San Diego last month.
‘Scooter’ Barret returns as one of two changes to the starting XV, with red-carded World Cup captain Sam Cane also set for his first start at Test level since last year’s Paris encounter.
@king365ed
@rugby365com
