Ian Foster’s future as All Blacks coach will be on the line when the men in black tackle the Springboks at Emirates Airlines Park in Johannesburg in round two of the Rugby Championship.
Foster is under enormous pressure to keep his job after suffering five defeats in six test matches, a sweep run that has seen the All Blacks plummet to fifth on the World Rugby rankings, their lowest-ever ranking.
New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson had previously refused to endorse Foster beyond the first two games in South Africa, which means the ax could fall unless he can inspire a dramatic turnaround.
It would be a monumental bounce-back if the All Blacks were to pick up a much-needed victory in Johannesburg. They are coming off their worst defeat to the Springboks in 94 years after losing the opening game 26-10.
The All Blacks have not dropped their first two games of the Rugby Championship, or the Tri-Nations as it was previously known, since 1998.
Foster has resisted wholesale changes, making just four alterations to his starting XV for the second encounter against the Boks.
Props Ethan de Groot and Tyrel Lomax bulk up the scrum, Shannon Frizell subs in for Akira Ioane at blindside flanker and Richie Mo’unga gets his first start of the year at first-five with Beauden Barrett dropping to the bench.
South Africa have been forced into a late front-row reshuffle after starting hooker Bongi Mbonambi went down with a knee injury at training. He has been replaced by the inexperienced Joseph Dweba.
Joe Allison/Getty Images
Richie Mo’unga has been named to start at first-five as one of four changed to the All Blacks’ starting XV.
The game
Rugby Championship Round 2: Springboks v All Blacks
Where: Emirates Airlines Park, Johannesburg
When: Sunday, August 14, 3.05am (NZ time)
Live coverage: Sky Sport 1, live updates on stuff from 2.50am
The teams
All Blacks: Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, David Havili, Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (c), Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Tyrel Lomax, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Codie Taylor, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa’i, Akira Ioane, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Quinn Tupaea.
Springboks: Damian Willemse, Jesse Kriel, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Handre Pollard, Jaden Hendrikse; Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (c), Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Joseph Dweba, Ox Nche. Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, Jasper Wiese, Kwagga Smith, Hershel Jantjies, Willie le Roux.
The refs
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Christophe Ridley (England)
OMT: Brett Cronan (Australia)
weather
Partly sunny and pleasant; breezy in the afternoon. High of approx 24degC, approx 20degC and 18% humidity at kickoff 5.05pm local time
The odds
Springboks $1.47, All Blacks $2.70
history
Overall: Played 102, All Blacks wins: 60, Draws: 4, Springboks wins: 38
In South Africa: Played 51, All Blacks wins: 24, Draws: 1, Springboks wins: 26
In Johannesburg: Played 13, All Blacks wins: 4, Springboks wins: 9