Springboks, we owe you
‘‘We owe them one.’’
With those four words from All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea, rugby fans can start licking their chops in anticipation of the upcoming match between the All Blacks and South Africa in Pretoria.
Forget the fact the All Blacks have already wrapped up the Rugby Championship, Loftus Versfeld is set to host the most anticipated match of this year’s Sanzaar competition.
After the All Blacks beat Argentina, 35-17, in Buenos Aires yesterday, Savea said what many Kiwis have probably been thinking since South Africa handed the All Blacks a rare home defeat in Wellington a fortnight ago.
The All Blacks were forced to stew on the 36-34 defeat, and haven’t stopped being reminded they turned down a gilt-edged chance to snatch the match with a drop kick.
That was evident by the blank expressions as they watched the South Africans break down in tears and run all over Westpac Stadium celebrating as if they’d won the World Cup twice over.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen blasted their game-management, before heaping the pressure on his players when he declared they would treat the rest of the Rugby Championship as sudden-death World Cup fixtures.
An undermanned squad stood up against Argentina, ensuring they didn’t drop consecutive tests for the first time since 2011.
Now, they can begin preparing for a hugely anticipated match at altitude – one which will be played in front of about 52,000 South Africans baying for more All Blacks blood.
Hansen has some tough selection decisions to make in the coming days.
He’ll no doubt insert rested No 8 Kieran Read, and tighthead prop Owen Franks, back into the starting lineup, while halfback Aaron Smith is expected to rotate back into the starting XV at the expense of TJ Perenara.
However, the makeup of the midfield and bench isn’t so straightforward.
To stick with second-five Sonny Bill Williams, who was yellowed carded against Argentina and substituted in the 57th minute, and centre Ryan Crotty, or to throw the impressive Jack Goodhue back in the mix?
New Zealand’s coaching staff will also have to decide whether to inject utility Damian McKenzie, unavailable to play Argentina due to a family bereavement, back into the matchday 23 for Richie Mo’unga, who impressed in his place.
As for the outside backs, will there be a temptation to bring Jordie Barrett back into the frame?
Regardless, the All Blacks, who didn’t pick up any new injuries in Buenos Aires, aren’t expected to do anything out of the ordinary in a bid for payback.
"We want to win every game, I’m not going to lie to you, we want to win every game and when we lose it hurts.
‘‘But we don’t change our routine," said halfback TJ Perenara, who notched test No 50 on Sunday.
"I think that creates inconsistency. ‘‘If we can continue to strive to be better than we were the week before, the day before, then that’s how I think we’re going to keep on top of things."
South Africa, who beat Australia 23-12 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth the past weekend, lie in wait for the return joust.
If only it was a sudden-death World Cup match.