The fourth round of the 2016 Rugby Championship starts in Christchurch where New Zealand’s All Blacks host South Africa’s Springboks.
This match will be the first time that these teams have met since the Rugby World Cup Semi-final in England last year and that match was won by New Zealand 20-18.
Out of the last five matches between these sides the All Blacks have won four and lost one. Overall New Zealand have played South Africa 91 times and they have won 53 times and drawn three times.
That gives the All Blacks a record of winning 58% of their matches and the average score when these sides meet is New Zealand 19 South Africa 16.
This match will be played in New Zealand where the All Blacks have hosted South Africa 41 times since 1921 and they have won 30 matches, drawn 2 and lost nine times.
This gives the All Blacks a record of winning 73% of their home matches against South Africa. Including the draws takes their record for not losing to 78% of the matches.
In Christchurch the All Blacks have played South Africa 8 times and won 6. South Africa’s last Christchurch victory was in 1965 and they have lost their last five matches in the city.
For this weekend the All Blacks have made two changes as Ardie Savea comes in for the injured Sam Cane in the starting 7 jersey. As result Matt Todd comes onto the replacements bench as loose forward cover; while Lima Sopoaga comes into the matchday 23, replacing Aaron Cruden, who has a groin strain.
South Africa have also made two changes to their starting line up with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Vincent Koch both included in the starting side
Du Toit replaces Lood de Jager, who sustained a severely bruised knee last week against the Wallabies in Brisbane, while Koch gets the nod ahead of Lourens Adriaanse, who started last week in Australia.
New Zealand have won their last 14 matches in a row and incredibly their last 43 Tests on home soil. They have also won their last two tests by 20 points or more.
This Match will be shown on TV in NZ (Sky), Aus (Fox Sports), SA (SuperSport) and in the UK on Sky Sports 3/HD.
Average score: New Zealand 19 South Africa 16
Last five results
24 Oct 2015 WC Semi NZL v SAF 20-18 Twickenham, London
25 Jul 2015 NZL v SAF 27-20 Ellis Park, Johannesburg
04 Oct 2014 NZL v SAF 25-27 Ellis Park, Johannesburg
13 Sep 2014 NZL v SAF 14-10 Westpac Trust, Wellington
05 Oct 2013 NZL v SAF 38-27 Ellis Park, Johannesburg
New Zealand’s overall record against South Africa
Played 91 , Wins 53 , Losses 35, Draws 3
Match No.7:New Zealand v South Africa
Date : 17 Sep 2016
Venue : AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick Off local: 19.35 (04:35 ART, 07:35 GMT, 09:35 SAST, 17:35 AEST)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant Ref 1:Pascal Gauzere (France)
Assistant Ref 2:Marius Mitrea (Italy)
TMO : George Ayoub (Australia)
Teams
New Zealand
1. Joe Moody , 2. Dane Coles, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Brodie Retallick , 5. Samuel Whitelock , 6. Jerome Kaino, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Kieran Read (c), 9. Aaron Smith , 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Julian Savea, 12. Ryan Crotty, 13. Malakai Fekitoa , 14. Israel Dagg , 15. Ben Smith ,
Replacements : 16. Codie Taylor, 17. Wyatt Crockett , 18. Charlie Faumuina , 19. Luke Romano, 20. Matt Todd, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. Lima Sopoaga , 23. Anton Lienert-Brown
South Africa
15. Johan Goosen , 14. Bryan Habana, 13. Jesse Kriel, 12. Juan de Jongh, 11. Francois Hougaard, 10. Elton Jantjies , 9. Faf de Klerk , 8. Warren Whiteley , 7. Oupa Mohoje, 6. Francois Louw, 5. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Vincent Koch , 2. Adriaan Strauss (c), 1. Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: 16. Malcolm Marx, 17. Steven Kitshoff , 18. Lourens Adriaanse , 19. Franco Mostert, 20. Willem Alberts , 21. Jaco Kriel, 22. Morné Steyn, 23. Damian de Allende
