Springbok Watch: Players in the Spotlight v New Zealand at Eden Park

Pieter-Steph du Toit

Few players in world rugby are irreplaceable. Du Toit is one of those special superstars.

That was highlighted in his injury-enforced absence in the Cape Town clash against Australia, where the Boks simply didn’t have the same dynamism and tireless tenacity at blindside flank as they do when Du Toit dons the No. 7 jersey.

The reigning World Player of the Year will stretch and punch dents into the All Blacks’ defence with his athleticism and power with ball in hand, while his will be the face Kiwi ball carriers will see the most.

Kolisi Back But Won’t Captain Boks In Eden Park Showdown

Siya Kolisi

Bok fans breathed a collective sigh of relief when Kolisi was included in the team for Saturday’s colossal clash, but it remains to be seen what the defending champions will get out of him.

Nursing a niggle that kept him out of the second Test against the Wallabies, Kolisi was deemed to be “tough and go” by Rassie Erasmus early in the week. The Bok coach delayed his announcement of the team until Thursday and said the plan was for Jean-Luc du Preez to start at eighthman, but the utility forward picked up an injury during training.

Word is they wanted to give Kolisi some more time to rest, but he has been passed fit and will wear the Bok No. 8 jersey for just the second time. The fact that he won’t captain the side suggests that he’ll probably only play 50-odd minutes. It’ll be important for him to be at full tilt, though.

Handre Pollard

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok are great talents, but for a game of this magnitude, there’s no better man for the job than the experienced Pollard. 

The only flyhalf in history to steer his country to two World Cup titles, Pollard was brought in for the rematch against the Wallabies to provide stability and take the Boks out of troubled waters after their opening round loss. Ever-dependable, he turned in a Man of the Match performance as he kicked the Boks to victory.

His big-match temperament is unrivalled and his game management is superb. Add the fact that he’s a perfect 16 out of 16 off the tee for the Boks in 2025, and it’s clear that he’s pivotal to South Africa’s hopes of claiming a first win at New Zealand’s fortress since 1937.

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Canan Moodie

While an undoubted blue-chipper, Moodie is coming off two poor performances against Australia, the first off the bench and the second as a starter.

After shining at outside centre in the Incoming Series, the multi-talented Bulls ace was moved to the wing and looked unsure of himself in defence. Caught in no-man’s land on a number of occasions, he cost the Boks a couple of tries and will be feeling the pressure.  

The youngest member of the Bok squad, the 22-year-old is relishing his first Test match on New Zealand soil and has a big role to play in the Boks’ expected aerial assault.

“I’ve played against the All Blacks twice before, at Allianz Stadium Twickenham and at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town, but the magnitude of this match at Eden Park is huge – it’s an unbelievable feeling,” he said earlier this week.

“I remember waking up early in the morning to watch matches between the Springboks and All Blacks back in South Africa growing up, and to possibly have the opportunity to play this weekend is huge.

“It’s intimidating playing in Auckland and especially at Eden Park, and given the enormity of this match (given the history between the teams and playing at this ground), it’s something else.

“Both teams have a lot to play for. It’s an important match for the All Blacks, especially with this possibly marking Ardie Savea’s 100th Test, but also know what we know what we have to do going into this game.

“This is a vital match for us as well, and we’ll go out there and give everything we can to win.”

Willie le Roux

With Aphelele Fassi struggling a bit and Damian Willemse working his way back to his best, Erasmus is looking to Le Roux to deliver the goods at No. 15.

The eighth Bok centurion was originally set to play against Australia in Cape Town but was forced to withdraw due to a niggle. Now fit to feature in his 101st Test, Le Roux has a key role to fulfil at the back.

The 36-year-old’s greatest strengths are his vast experience, ability to read the game, and organisation. His trademark playmaking prowess is a result of this, as is his positional play in defence, where he’s mostly in the right place at the right time.

He’s not immune to making mistakes, though, so Bok fans will be hoping the veteran turns in a vintage performance.