The Springboks have made a special request to supporters ahead of Saturday’s eagerly anticipated series opener against the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
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The clash will be the first of four Tests between the two sides during the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour, with the series finale scheduled to take place in Baltimore, USA.
The tour has already produced a memorable Haka moment during one of the warm-up matches. Ahead of his first game for the Sharks against the All Blacks, New Zealand legend Ma’a Nonu responded to the Haka with one of his own, performing it completely alone as a mark of respect.
It was a fitting moment for one of New Zealand rugby’s greatest ever centres and could potentially prove to be Nonu’s final involvement in an All Blacks fixture, albeit against the nation he helped establish as a global rugby powerhouse.
Ahead of the first Test, Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has called on the Ellis Park crowd to remain silent during the All Blacks’ Haka, allowing the iconic pre-match tradition to be heard throughout the stadium.
Erasmus pointed to the reception New Zealand received before their opening tour match against the Stormers in Cape Town as an example of what he would like to see in Johannesburg.
“We all know how big this is,” Erasmus said.
“I would love it if the people at Ellis Park … did the same as the guys in Cape Town, where it’s quiet, where we hear the haka 100%, because I think it’s something special.”
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Springboks handed toughest route to 2027 Rugby World Cup final
Rassie Erasmus’ side have been handed a favourable pool on paper, but the knockout stages promise far tougher challenges. We take a look at the Springboks’ projected route to the final and the obstacles standing between them and more history.
Pool stage draw
South Africa have been placed in Pool B alongside Italy, Georgia and Romania.
It looks like a favourable draw for the reigning world champions, with Italy expected to be their biggest rival for first place. Georgia’s physical approach and Romania’s powerful set piece should still demand respect, but South Africa will expect to top the group.
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Round of 16
The Springboks are currently projected to face the runner-up from Pool E, which is likely to be Japan or the USA depending on how that group develops.
Either side would be viewed as a manageable opponent, although South Africa will not have forgotten their famous defeat to Japan in 2015. They should still be expected to progress comfortably.
Quarter-finals
A quarter-final against one of the leading Tier 1 nations appears most likely, with New Zealand or Australia the probable opponents. England are an outside possibility, but that would require them to finish third in their pool, making that scenario unlikely.
Pool A is expected to be won by either New Zealand or Australia. While the All Blacks look stronger on paper, Australia will benefit from home advantage. Whoever emerges will provide South Africa’s first major challenge of the tournament.
