The Springboks may be fully focused on Argentina this weekend, but the countdown to their highly anticipated series against the All Blacks has already begun.
With Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour kicking off in Cape Town on Friday, attention is increasingly turning to the blockbuster clashes between South Africa and New Zealand. However, rugby analyst and Daily Maverick sports editor Craig Ray believes Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is taking nothing for granted against Argentina.
South Africa has named a strong side for the Rugby Championship encounter, welcoming back several experienced players from injury in what Ray describes as a statement of intent.
“It’s a real muscle-flexing exercise. If you’re the All Blacks coach, you’d be thinking, ‘Wow, there are nine guys starting that game who beat us in Wellington,'” Ray said.
Meanwhile, the All Blacks will begin their South African tour with provincial fixtures against local franchises before the Test series begins.
Ray believes New Zealand coach Dave Rennie will use the opening matches to assess combinations and give opportunities to a wider group of players before settling on his strongest lineup.
“They have made some interesting selections for the Stormers game. Josh Moorby starts at full-back despite usually playing on the wing, while there is still uncertainty around who will wear the No.10 jersey when the Test series begins,” Ray said.
He added that by the time the All Blacks face the Bulls later in the tour, supporters can expect a side that closely resembles New Zealand’s preferred Test XV.
While the rivalry with the All Blacks is already capturing headlines, the Springboks know that victory over Argentina remains the immediate priority before attention shifts fully to their biggest rivals.