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Six facts ahead of the All Blacks vs Springboks Test
In one of the most highly anticipated Rugby Championship matches in years, South Africa travel to Wellington to take on the All Blacks.
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The Test is officially sold out.
“Anytime the All Blacks play South Africa it is a special occasion and it’s great to see the public once again come out in force for the first home Test of the year,” NZR Chief Executive Steve Tew said.
Saturday’s match is the only opportunity for New Zealand fans to see the two teams in action ahead of their opening pool match at Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Here are six facts ahead of the game.
98th match
New Zealand and South Africa will be playing their 98th Test against each other. New Zealand has won 58 of those matches, South Africa 36 with three draws.
Last time out
The last match between the two sides was a tight 32-30 win to the All Blacks in Pretoria in October last year. South Africa beat the All Blacks 36-34 in Wellington last year.
Milestone
The All Blacks need just six more points to become the first team in Test rugby history to score 16,000 points – no other team is yet to break the 14,000 mark.
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Top 20
Beauden Barrett will be playing his 75th Test match for the All Blacks and will enter the top 20 of most capped All Blacks of all time.
Double tonne
Brodie Retallick will be playing his 200th first-class match this weekend.
Freedom
The All Blacks have held The Freedom Cup since 2010. They won The Rugby Championship in 2012 – 2014 and again in 2016 – 2018 (as well as a Rugby Championship “Grand Slam” in 2012 – 2013 and 2016-2017).
