Who will be the game-changers for the Springboks and All Blacks at Loftus Versfeld today?
Jacques van der Westhuyzen and Vata Ngobeni make their picks...
Three Boks who must stand tall today
Damian de Allende
The Stormers man is back in the No 12 jersey after missing out last week because of a shoulder injury.
He is seemingly coach Rassie Erasmus’ first-choice inside centre but now has to deliver a performance worthy of that title.
With 32 Tests to his name, De Allende needs to come good on the Test stage.
Francois Louw
The Bath-based veteran returns to the side after spending a few weeks overseas and packs down in the No 8 position today.
His coach made no bones about the fact he’d been picked for his experience, having played 61 times for the Boks.
He must now show he’s still good enough to play Test rugby.
Malcolm Marx
A year ago, the Lions hooker didn’t put a foot wrong, winning plenty of praise for his performance at Newlands; and how the Boks will want a similar showing this week.
Marx has blown hot and cold in 2018, but remains a potential match-winner – but he will want to finish off the competition with another memorable outing.
Three All Blacks who pose the biggest threat to the Boks
Waisake Naholo
The All Blacks’ biggest threat is at the back, and having missed out on the clash in Wellington, winger Naholo will want to make a big statement today.
A try-machine, like his wing partner Rieko Ioane, the 27-year-old has the pace and the skills to keep the Boks on their toes throughout the clash.
Sonny Bill Williams
Another player who didn’t face the Boks three weeks ago because of injury, but the veteran centre is back this week and no doubt keen to make up for lost time.
Williams has got the strength to be a real menace in midfield, but it’s his offloading ability in the tackle that undoes most teams.
Beauden Barrett
The star flyhalf will be desperate to make up for some of the blunders that cost his team the match in Wellington, and with Richie Mo’unga on the bench, he knows he needs to deliver – and that makes him extremely dangerous.
He’s got all the skills to be a game-changer, so the Boks better be on the look-out.
Will All Black flyhalf Beauden Barrett smile at the final whistle? Photo: Travis Arendse
@jacq_west
@Vata_Ngobeni