BATTLE LINES: Talking time over as Boks and All Blacks reveal powerful lineups for first Test
Springbok centre Damian de Allende will become South Africa’s 10th Test centurion against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday.
In the lead-up to Saturday's first Test between South Africa and New Zealand, both coaches, Rassie Erasmus and Dave Rennie, remain uncertain of the outcome. The Springboks' coach, Erasmus, admitted to feeling nervous but emphasized the experience of his team, boasting a combined 850 Test caps in the lineup and 1,043 in total. The All Blacks, on the other hand, have 684 caps and 879 in total.
Erasmus highlighted the return of loosehead Ox Nché, who will start for the first time since a knee injury in July, alongside Gerhard Steenekamp on the bench. The Boks also have a strong lineup at the back, with Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and Damian Willemse forming the experienced back three.
For New Zealand, coach Rennie opted for a massive pack to counter the Springboks' big men, including Fabian Holland, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa’i, Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson, and Sam Whitelock at scrumhalf. The All Blacks aim to play with tempo from quick ruck ball to win their breakdown ball quickly and put pressure on the Springboks' lineout.
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