Rassie Erasmus highlights desperation ahead of Springboks vs All Blacks clash

Both teams will be equally desperate on Saturday at Eden Park when the Springboks face the All Blacks in the first of two Test matches in the Rugby Championship.

That is the belief of Bok head coach Rassie Erasmus, as his side looks to continue their dominance over the Kiwis, this time away from home, in the Southern Hemisphere tournament.

The world champions will be aiming for a fifth consecutive victory over the current world No 1 side. More importantly, they are chasing a win at Eden Park for the first time since 1937. The Boks are also determined to keep their hopes of back-to-back Rugby Championship titles alive.

New Zealand, on the other hand, will be just as eager to preserve their long-standing unbeaten record at the venue. A streak that dates to 1994. The hosts will also be keen to retain their top spot in the official world rankings.

All these factors, according to Erasmus, could make for a nail-biting affair. However, the coach stopped short of calling this clash the Boks’ biggest since the 2023 World Cup final in Paris — also against the All Blacks.

“Facing the All Blacks away from home is always a challenge, and doing so at Eden Park makes both teams desperate,” Erasmus said, on Monday.

“I’ve been touring here since 1994 as a player, and it’s never easy. I don’t think I ever won here as a player, and since joining the coaching team, we’ve had one draw and one win.

"For us, it’s always a tough and nerve-wracking week. I think it’s the same for them.

“We’re really desperate. We don’t win in New Zealand often, let alone at Eden Park. None of us were even born the last time the Springboks won there.

"So, that’s a big motivation for us. I think you’ll see players from both sides putting everything on the line this Saturday.”

While Erasmus opted to include injured captain Siya Kolisi in the touring squad, he previously acknowledged that it might be a risk to play him on Saturday, even if he recovers in time.

The Bok head coach admitted that there is a bit of a rivalry between the two sides, but he insists it’s a healthy one.

“To say this is our biggest game would be a slap in the face to other teams who’ve beaten us. Argentina beat us last year. Ireland have beaten us since. There is a special rivalry between us and New Zealand, though, this is a big game.

“We’re not sure what team they’ll put out because they have some injuries, and we’ve got players out too. So, there will be a bit of the unknown going into this match.

"By only announcing our team on Thursday, it levels the playing field somewhat. Everyone will have to do a little extra homework and guessing. But whatever team they put out, we know it will be a helluva good side — and a desperate one. If either team wants to win the Rugby Championship, the next two games are absolutely vital.”

Erasmus confirmed that hooker Bongi Mbonambi stayed behind because he has an illness in the family, while the call-up of scrumhalf Faf de Klerk was to ensure that they have sufficient cover at No 9. Rookie Morne van den Berg struggled with an injury, but he has been training with the team.

No cover will be brought in for Mbonambi and he will join the side when possible. Veteran Malcolm Marx, Marnus van der Merwe, and the versatile Jan-Hendrik Wessels can cover hooker.

The World Cup-winning coach also congratulated the Springbok Women on their victory at the Rugby World Cup in England and said he got up at 3am to watch the crucial match against Italy, which the Bok Women won narrowly 29-24 in York.

“I’d like to congratulate everybody in that environment for what they achieved, and also SA Rugby for everything they are doing for women’s rugby. It is the first time we have reached the quarter-finals and this inspires us as a team.

"We are very proud of them.”