{
  "id": 2157936,
  "title": "Boks v All Blacks – first Test: All the stats, facts and numbers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/boks-v-all-blacks-first-test-all-the-stats-facts-and-numbers",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-20T14:33:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/rugby/boks-v-all-blacks-first-test-all-the-stats-facts-and-numbers/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Springboks and All Blacks will face off for the 111th time at Ellis Park on Saturday, marking the first Test in Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series. This matchup will also occur at Cape Town Stadium, FNB Stadium, and in Baltimore, USA, in the fourth Test. Ahead of Saturday's Test, here are the key statistics and facts to consider.\n\nThe Springboks have a record of 43 wins, 63 losses, and 4 draws in their previous 110 matches against New Zealand. They have scored a total of 1,850 points and conceded 2,269 points. The win percentage for the Springboks stands at 39%. Veteran player Damian de Allende will become the 10th Bok to feature in 100 Tests when he takes the field, followed by Pieter-Steph du Toit, who will join the exclusive club of Springbok centurions with his 99th Test appearance.\n\nProp Ox Nche and Jasper Wiese are one and three appearances away from earning their 50th Test cap, respectively. Eben Etzebeth, the most capped Springbok player with 143 caps, will extend his record when he steps onto the field. Manie Libbok needs just three more points to reach 150 international points.\n\nThis Test represents the first time since 1996 that the All Blacks have embarked on a traditional rugby tour to South Africa. The last meeting between the teams in Johannesburg occurred in the Rugby Championship in 2024, where the Springboks won 31-27. The Springboks have triumphed in five of the last six matches between the two teams since August 2023, including the Rugby World Cup final in France that same year.\n\nThe starting lineup for the Springboks features a total of 850 Test caps, with 373 caps in the backline and 477 caps among the forwards. On the bench, there are an additional 193 caps. The average number of caps per player in the backline is 53, while the forwards average 60 caps, and the players on the bench average 24 appearances each.",
  "summary": "It promises to be another epic encounter between these two great rugby nations.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}