Auckland’s Eden Park stands like an impregnable fortress, its walls echoing with a 31-year unbeaten symphony with 50 Tests without a South African win since 1994, and only a single draw breaking the Kiwis’ dominance on Saturday, 6 September 2025.
The Clash of the Titans between the All Blacks and the Springboks is arguably the most iconic rivalry in the game of rugby.
The Springboks, back-to-back World champions and hunters of history, arrive not with fear but with fire, determined to shatter the legend with brilliance and hard steel.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus:
“Facing New Zealand away from home is always a challenge, and doing so at Eden Park makes both teams desperate… It’s going to be a nervy week for both teams.”
He also dismisses the “Eden Park hoodoo” as media myth: “It’s a 70 × 100 m field… there is a passionate crowd, but that’s about it.”
And in a rare statistical flourish: “History has shown you must score 28 points against New Zealand … if you want to beat them… you have to score tries.”
All Blacks coach Scott “Razor” Robertson:
“It’ll be a hell of a fiery Test… South Africa played beautifully for a period of time… discipline and accuracy… you can force errors, and things can change quickly.”
His side, on the hunt for a renewed identity, is leaning on their creativity, tactical nous, and renowned ability to play the situation … as part of a longer-term plan to match the physicality of reigning world champions South Africa.”
Historical Canvas
Since 1921, this has been rugby’s most fervent rivalry. Eden Park holds a mythical edge for New Zealand. The last South African win here came in 1937, and only scattered visits since have challenged the narrative.
The modern Springboks, steered by Erasmus since 2018, have reasserted dominance, winning four straight against the All Blacks, including the 2023 RWC final
This clash smolders like two wildfire fronts colliding in a storm. South Africa’s forwards are iron-clad, a green tsunami crashing through scrums. Their backs glide like predators on the hunt with the likes of Cheslin Kolbe, Canan Moodie, and general Handre Pollard ready to pounce on any creaking gap.
Across the park, the All Blacks are coiled springs, massive, muscular and methodical. With Robertson’s “big bodies,” they’ll smash the breakdowns and let momentum ripple through their ranks.
Eden Park’s record looms like a dragon’s claw, but Erasmus’s men come not to worship that legend; they’ve sharpened their blades in smaller skirmishes and now march to conquer it. They believe that, with 28 points, they can tame the beast.
This test match is seen by both sides as a battleground where history, pride, and modern mastery intersect.
Will the Springboks’ raw power, chiselled precision and try-line ambition breach Eden’s walls? Or will the All Blacks, backed by homefield gravity and athletic brilliance, repulse them with ruthless accuracy and unpredictability?
Teams:
New Zealand: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Emoni Narawa, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 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.
South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel (captain), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Siya Kolisi, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Stated, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacement: 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.
Date: Saturday, September 6
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19.05 (09.05 SA time; 07.05 GMT)
Expected weather: Clear and breezy, with wind gusts of 40+ km/h. Real Feel: 6°C
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
