All Blacks v Springboks: What you need to know

All Blacks v Springboks Kick-off: 7.05pm Saturday, September 6 at Eden Park, Auckland.

This is it: the biggest test match of the season. Arguably the biggest since the World Cup final and, from a certain point of view, even bigger considering what is on the line for the All Blacks. The Eden Park streak stands at 50, and a loss will mean the Springboks will go down in history as the ones who finally stormed the fortress.

You can follow the match through live blog updates on 1News.co.nz

The build-up to this one hasn't been felt since the Lions series or the 2011 World Cup, so the pressure is definitely on both teams. The question is who is feeling it the most? Of course the All Blacks have the streak to protect but they have experience doing it for the last 31 years, so maybe it's on the Boks as they are seen as the most likely to break it.

All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Simon Parker, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Will Jordan

Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Tamaiti Williams, 18. Tyrel Lomax, 19. Fabian Holland, 20. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. Quinn Tupaea, 23. Damian McKenzie

Springboks: 1. Ox Nche, 2. Malcolm Marx, 3. Thomas du Toit, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 5. Ruan Nortje, 6. Marco van Staden, 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8. Siya Kolisi, 9. Grant Williams, 10. Handre Pollard, 11. Canan Moodie, 12. Damian de Allende, 13. Jesse Kriel (c), 14. Cheslin Kolbe, 15. Willie le Roux

Bench: 16. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17. Boan Venter, 18. Wilco Louw, 19. Lood de Jager, 20. Kwagga Smith, 21. Cobus Reinach, 22. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23. Ethan Hooker

The biggest talking point this week has been at halfback, where Finlay Christie finds himself starting with Kyle Preston on the bench after injuries have cut the side down to their fourth and fifth choices. Out wide Emoni Narawa gets a recall, while up front Fletcher Newell starts ahead of Tamaiti Williams. Simon Parker is preferred on the blindside, forcing a reshuffle that sees Tupou Vaa'i move back to lock and Fabian Holland go to the bench.

Rassie Erasmus has sprung a surprise with Jesse Kriel named captain ahead of Siya Kolisi, however Kolisi starts at number eight after an injury ruled out original starter Jean-Luc du Preez midweek. Handre Pollard gets the nod at first five, with Sacha Feinburg-Mngomezulu backing him up on the bench. Malcolm Marx starts at hooker with Jan-Hendrik Wessels backing up, after Bongi Mbonambi didn't make the trip to New Zealand.

The Springboks have not won at Eden Park since 1937; however they have only played there eight times since. The closest they've come in that time was the infamous 1981 'Flour Bomb' test, which ended as a 25-22 win to the All Blacks after a late Allan Hewson penalty.

This is the 109th test played between the two sides, with the All Blacks holding a 62-42 lead in the win stakes, with four matches drawn. That record is the most successful of any test side against the All Blacks.

Richie McCaw holds the record for the most tests against the Springboks, having faced them 37 times in his 148 test career.

"History has shown you must score 28 points against New Zealand … if you want to beat them. So you have to score tries. We have plans … we have to score tries and get to plus 25 points if we want to win the game." - Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus.

"One plays two in the world, all eyes are watching. It's pretty exciting for us as a country, we've got a record that we're really proud of and will play for." - All Black coach Scott Robertson.

Springboks 18 - 12 All Blacks

Not the most memorable of tests between the two, given the All Blacks' inability to score even one try, plus the influence of a yellow card to Ofa Tu'ungafasi. The Springboks simply ground down the All Blacks and used the one man advantage to score through Malcolm Marx and Siya Kolisi to take a well-earned win - which was their fourth in a row against the All Blacks.

Probably the hardest test match to call in years, mainly because both sides have shown some glaring areas for improvement in the last few weeks. But one thing is for sure: the ball may as well have its own air traffic controller because it's heading up there early, and often.

More on this topic

'Hairs on the back of my neck still stand up': McCaw on defending All Blacks' 'home'

Scotty Stevenson talks to players who have been a part of the streak about why "The Garden" of Eden Park stands alone as the team’s true fortress.

Rugby

Thu, Sep 4

Analysis: Will Razor double down on All Blacks' high-tempo running game?

Probably, argue 1News rugby experts Scotty Stevenson and Patrick McKendry, as that would appear to be the best way to defeat the Boks at Eden Park.

Rugby

Wed, Sep 3

1:31

Meet the South Africans who want the All Blacks to win tonight

National identity isn't the only reason to back a team – and these three proud All Black supporters from South Africa prove it.

New Zealand

6:01am

That doesn't necessarily mean it will be a low scoring game, last year at Ellis Park there was plenty of kicking in a match that ended 31-27 to the Springboks. But it will mean that the set piece is going to be crucial, as will discipline. The effects of even one yellow card could be disastrous for either side, both in the short term points-wise and the wider effect of having to make extra tackles.

rnz.co.nz