Adnaan Mohamed
Wellington has always been a theatre of drama for the Springboks. From that famous 36-34 ambush in 2018 to the nail-biting 16-16 draw a year later, the Cake Tin has witnessed South Africa’s grit under the fiercest spotlight.
On Saturday morning, Siya Kolisi and his men return to the capital with the Rugby Championship title race wide open, the Freedom Cup on the line, and pride at stake against their oldest foes.
Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick knows exactly what it will take.
“Last week we had two soft moments early in the game, and it cost us,” he reflected on the 24-17 defeat in Auckland.
“This time, we need to be at our best for the full 80 minutes. We must be clinical, execute with precision, and turn opportunities into points.”
It is a simple equation against the All Blacks: blink, and you bleed.
Kolisi, who will lead the Boks for his 96th Test, echoed Stick’s call for composure. The chatter around South Africa’s new-look backline being too young, too raw, too untested, doesn’t faze him.
“There’s a good mixture of players in this team,” he said.
“Some have been here before, some have lifted two World Cups. It’s not a completely new side. The new faces bring something different, and that excites me.”
For Kolisi, the challenge feels familiar yet fresh.
“It’s going to be intense, like a World Cup final in the way you need to stay calm and composed. But this is its own battle. There’s enough motivation to win this game and to make our country proud.”
The Freedom Cup adds its own layer of symbolism. South Africa claimed it last year for the first time since 2009, and defending it on New Zealand soil would be another statement of intent.
More importantly, a win would keep them in reach of both the Rugby Championship title and the No 1 world ranking.
The All Blacks will be ready, the crowd baying, the weather unpredictable. But as Kolisi leads his men out one truth remains: matches in Wellington are rarely forgotten.
Teams
New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Fabian Holland, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Ruben Love.
South Africa: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Andre Esterhuizen.
Date: Saturday, September 8
Venue: Wellington Regional Stadium
Kick-off: 09.05 SA time
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
