SOUTH AFRICA V NEW ZEALAND LIVE: RESULT AND REACTION FROM RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP AS SPRINGBOKS WIN FREEDOM CUP

South Africa v New Zealand LIVE

• South Africa win Freedom Cup after tense victory over New Zealand
• South Africa defeat New Zealand 18-12 in the second match of their double-header
• TRY! Marx scores after a shocking challenge from Lomax (SA 18-12 NZL)
• PENALTY! McKenzie draws the All Blacks within a point (SA 13-12 NZL)
• PENALTY! Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu comes off the bench to add three points (SA 13-9 NZL)
• TRY! Siya Kolisi scores first try of the match (SA 10-9 NZL)
• PENALTY! McKenzie restores six-point lead on stroke of half-time (SA 3-9 NZL)
• PENALTY! Handre Pollard gets South Africa on the board (SA 3-6 NZL)
• PENALTY! Another kick for New Zealand doubles their lead (SA 0-6 NZL)
• PENALTY! McKenize elects to kick after Wiese sinbinned (SA 0-3 NZL)

South Africa win Freedom Cup after tense victory over New Zealand

Siya Kolisi and Malcolm Marx scored tries as South Africa recorded a fourth win in a row against old foes New Zealand for the first time in 75 years with an 18-12 Rugby Championship victory in Cape Town on Saturday.

It was a high-octane encounter full of energy and endeavour in front of a fervent crowd of 55,000, but both sides committed numerous errors that stunted their momentum and it will not go down as a classic.

Captain Kolisi, playing with a fractured nose, crossed early in the second half and Marx late on as the world champions edged the arm-wrestle and took a giant step towards the Rugby Championship title.

South Africa win Freedom Cup after tense victory over New Zealand

FT South Africa 18-12 New Zealand

England ease past France to begin World Cup countdown

England began their countdown to a women’s rugby World Cup on home soil in impressive fashion as they beat France 38-19 at Kingsholm.

The world’s number one-ranked team were never troubled by their closest Six Nations rivals, making it 14 successive wins against France.

Captain Marlie Packer and wing Jess Breach each claimed try doubles, while centre Helena Rowland and scrum-half Lucy Packer also crossed, with Holly Aitchison kicking four conversions.

The Red Roses host New Zealand next Saturday in a second preparation game for their WXV1 campaign in Canada, before all roads will lead to next year’s World Cup after the 2025 Six Nations.

England ease past France to begin World Cup countdown

FT South Africa 18-12 New Zealand

New Zealand’s Scott Barrett summed up the result. He said: “We had opportunities there and, against a uality side like the Springboks, when you don’t take them, they are going to punish you.

“Wallace [Sititi] played well. We certainly challenged them in the first half with our attack but probably didn’t get the points we were after. They edged their way back. That’s what they do.”

FT South Africa 18-12 New Zealand

Siya Kolisi reacts to big win in post-match interview saying:

“Honestly, for us, it’s all about the performances we put in. In the past, we would win one and then lose one. The Freedom Cup is something we haven’t touched in a long time. I’m lost for words; so porud of the boys.”

FT South Africa 18-12 New Zealand

Damian de Allende was named man of the match for South Africa. Here’s what he had to say after the match:

“I’m lost for words at the moment. It’s nice to see that cup and know we can hold it in our hands tonight.”

“The mind-set and the attitude has changed in the squad. We lacked execution in the first half. It was an incredible victory and we’ll celebrate nicely tonight.”

FT South Africa 18-12 New Zealand

This is the first time since 2009 that South Africa have won the Freedom Cup against New Zealand. Add that to their World Cup victory and they’re on an insanely strong run of form

Easily the team to beat in international rugby at the minute.

FT South Africa 18-12 New Zealand

Full-time! South Africa 18-12 New Zealand

80 mins: There goes the whistle! Tyrel Lomax will feel rotten, a silly shoulder barge has cost New Zealand this game. South Africa were imposing, aggressive and the better side in the end.

The Springboks prevail again, they beaten the All Blacks in Cape Town!

South Africa 18-12 New Zealand

77 mins: Tensions are high as this match flies towards its conclusion. New Zealand lose possession inside their own half and South Africa push for another try.

If they score again that’ll be that.

TRY! South Africa 18-12 New Zealand (Malcolm Marx, 74’)

74 mins: That challenge from Lomax has changed the game. From the lineout South Africa form a maul befor Malcolm Marx comes out the side and crosses the line.

The kick is missed so there’s still a chance for New Zealand with time ticking down.

South Africa 13-12 New Zealand

73 mins: Oh dear! Tyrel Lomax shoulders Cheslin Kolbe off the ball and he clatters into the ground taking out Ardie Savea as well. It’s a penalty to South Africa who decide to kick for touch.

They’re after another try with seven minutes or so on the clock.

South Africa 13-12 New Zealand

72 mins: 10 minutes to play in Cape Town. It was almost inevitable that the match would come down to the wire. Just like in Johannesburg.

Ofa Tu’ungafasi can’t roll away from a tackle in time and he gives away another penalty which Damian McKenzie decides to kick. He looks confident but hooks it too far to the left and misses!

South Africa still lead by one.

South Africa 13-12 New Zealand

67 mins: The game has fallen back into the rhythm of the first half. Play passing hands in the middle of the pitch. Breakdown turnover from South Africa, New Zealand not making much headway.

Lots of breaks in play at the minute. Both sides trying to recover a bit of energy for a final push.

South Africa 13-12 New Zealand

64 mins: Willie le Roux sticks out a hand and flicks the ball as New Zealand send it over to the right. It’s not deemed a legitimate attempt at an interception so the South African is shown a yellow card and has to sit out for 10 minutes.

New Zealand decide to kick from the resultant penalty but Damian McKenzie hits the post!

South Africa 13-12 New Zealand

61 mins: Beauden Barrett is on for New Zealand having replaced Will Jordan. He’ll bring a bit of style and flair to the last 20 minutes as the All Blacks look for a way to win this game.

South Africa 13-12 New Zealand (Penalty kick, Damian McKenzie)

58 mins: Here come New Zealand!

They’re never out of the game and sharp hands from Damian McKenzie sees them switch the play out to Sevu Reece who manages to stay in play and keep the ball alive.

The All Blacks pass the ball back towards the middle and win another penalty which McKenzie flicks over the sticks. Now it’s a one point game.

South Africa 13-9 New Zealand (Penalty kick, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu)

55 mins: A New Zealand offside gives away a penalty to South Africa. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has been introduced to replace Handre Pollard and wastes no time deciding to kick.

He boots the ball between the posts and increases South Africa’s lead.

South Africa 10-9 New Zealand

52 mins: This might be tough going for New Zealand now. They put a lot into those last 10 minutes but still South Africa broke through.

Unless the All Blacks can put in a shift on the ball they’ll just become increasingly more tired and the Springboks will run over them.

TRY! South Africa 10-9 New Zealand (Siya Kolisi, 49’)

49 mins: New Zealand are on the back foot. They’re giving away too many penalties just metres from their own line. From the lineout, South Africa look for a maul before Siya Kolisi whips the ball out and flings it wide.

The Springboks take a couple of hits before passing it back to their captain who lunges over the line!

South Africa’s sustained pressure tells on New Zealand and they score the first try of the match!

Pollard boots over the conversion and South Africa take the lead.

South Africa 3-9 New Zealand

48 mins: South Africa continue to push, Tyrel Lomax is flagged offside as the Springboks attempt to force their way into the try zone.

Eben Etzebeth lunges for the line and thinks he’s got the opening try of the game. The referee consults the TMO who says it’s not conclusion so No Try is the decision.

South Africa turn down the chance to kick for three and send it out for a lineout. They’re smelling blood here.

South Africa 3-9 New Zealand

46 mins: That’s the best attacking set from South Africa in the game so far! Six phases all mixed together with quick passes, late offloads and darting runs.

The Springboks win a penalty advantage and look to fling the ball out to the left before Will Jordan grabs hold of the interception. Handre Pollard turns down the chance to kick and boots the ball into touch for a lineout.

They’re confident now.

South Africa 3-9 New Zealand

43 mins: The All Blacks have hurried into the rucks and have forced a number of breakdown penalties which has only been to their benefit.

McKenzie decides to kick again, from a long way out (56 metres or so), and this one comes up short. No advance to New Zealand’s lead.

Second half! South Africa 3-9 New Zealand

South Africa get the ball moving once again in Cape Town with Handre Pollard pumping it straight down the middle. Jordie Barrett is hunted down and tackled by Canan Moodie which perhaps signals South Africa’s intent for the rest of this match.

HT South Africa 3-9 New Zealand

Scott Robertson has backline experience on his bench with TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett, no doubt they’ll play a huge role in this match as it comes down to the wire.

New Zealand will be hoping to avoid the same late onslaught they suffered last time out.

HT South Africa 3-9 New Zealand

Henry Slade ‘working doubly hard’ to return for England before autumn opener

Henry Slade hopes to recover from shoulder surgery in time for England’s autumn opener against New Zealand having played through the pain barrier since February.

Slade sustained a labral tear to his right shoulder during the Six Nations defeat at Murrayfield but saw out the season and even soldiered through the summer tour to Japan and New Zealand.

With the operation taking place five weeks ago, he has the chance of proving his fitness in time for the All Blacks’ visit to Twickenham on November 2 due to an accelerated rehabilitation programme.

Henry Slade ‘working doubly hard’ to return for England before autumn opener

HT South Africa 3-9 New Zealand

Another tense game between the Springboks and the All Blacks. New Zealand lead at the break but they know only too well how things can change in the second half.

Half-time! South Africa 3-9 New Zealand (Penalty kick, McKenzie)

Ruan Nortje commits an offence right in front of the sticks as New Zealand decide to go direct this time. They’re awarded the penalty and McKenzie kicks it over the bar.

The teams head into the break with New Zealand holding a slender lead.

South Africa 3-6 New Zealand

38 mins: South Africa are ending this half as the stronger team. They’ve had more possession and that has translated into field position.

But, it seems as soon as they build up some momentum they commit a simple error which releases the pressure on New Zealand every time.

South Africa 3-6 New Zealand

35 mins: A couple of sharp runs see South Africa break the line but Jasper Wiese is brought down on the wing and fails to release the ball properly.

New Zealand get the turn over but are forced to kick it long under defensive pressure led by Siya Kolisi.

South Africa 3-6 New Zealand (Penalty kick, Handre Pollard)

32 mins: Canan Moodie is tackled and New Zealand hand a penalty straight to South Africa after Ardie Savea is punished for an illegal jackal.

Handre Pollard converts the kick and the Springboks have their first points on the board.

South Africa 0-6 New Zealand (Penalty kick, McKenzie)

29 mins: Oh hello! New Zealand win a penalty quite a way out from the try zone after the South Africans don’t roll away from the ruck quickly enough.

McKenzie decides to kick again and smokes it right down the middle! New Zealand double their advantage.

South Africa 0-3 New Zealand

28 mins: Codie Taylor is back from his head check too and has re-entered the fray for the All Blacks. As expected this is a tight match already with both teams trading blows in the middle of the pitch trying to control the ball.

Damian McKenzie might have been smart to take the penalty kick earlier. Those are the only points on the board at the minute.

South Africa 0-3 New Zealand

25 mins: Le Roux flings the ball out to the left but throws it over everyone’s heads and out for a New Zealand lineout. The All Blacks work a bit of free space on the right wing and almost break away but a forward pass halts their momentum.

Jasper Wiese is back on the pitch for the hosts with Sevu Reece coming back on shortly too.

South Africa 0-3 New Zealand

22 mins: All these players a big men but then you have Eben Etzebeth who is montrously tall. If he gets time to build up some momentum it’ll be dangerous for the New Zealand defenders.

So far they’ve been handling him and Kolisi in the middle of the park well enough. South Africa us their quick hands to move the ball out to the left before pinging it back inside.

Ox Nche earns another couple of metres with a physical run before the hosts pick out Le Roux with a pass out of the ruck. He dinks a kick over the top and almost plays in Canan Moodie but the right-wing’s lunge for the ball just comes up short inside the try zone.

South Africa 0-3 New Zealand

19 mins: Asafo Aumua has come on to replace Codie Taylor for New Zealand after Taylor landed awkwardly on his head and needs a check over.

South Africa play out from the ruck and ping the ball over to Cheslin Kolbe. He sprints into space, dummies one defender, skips past another then looks for the hand off before being brought down.

He manages to offload the ball but the receiving player fumbles it for a knock on.

South Africa 0-3 New Zealand

17 mins: Sevu Reece and Willie le Roux both leap for an aerial ball. It’s clear that the South African will get there first so Reece attempts to pull out of the challenge. He clatters into Le Roux’s legs and earns himself a booking for not protecting the ball carrier.

New Zealand are down to 14 men now as well.

South Africa 0-3 New Zealand (Penalty kick, McKenzie)

15 mins: Will Jordan has been alert and alive. He intercepts a cross kick and tries to get forward on the left wing. Siya Kolisi scrambles across to make things awkward for him but New Zealand win themselves a lineout and keep coming.

They work the ball inside the 15 before Jasper Wiese is punished for a poor tackle and gets sent to the sin bin!

South Africa are down a man but New Zealand decide to kick at goal to get the first points on the board. Damian McKenzie slots it over the bar for the three.

South Africa 0-0 New Zealand

12 mins: South Africa mess up their next lineout after a strong kick bounces out of play off a New Zealand arm. Codie Taylor grabs onto the ball and drives the All Blacks forward.

They maintain possession and work the ball down the line. A switch of direction sees Taylor receive the ball on the left wing but he’s held up a few metres from the line.

South Africa hold firm and get the turnover right in front of their own sticks! That’s a great defensive set from the homse side.

South Africa 0-0 New Zealand

9 mins: Damian McKenize tackles too high on a dropping Grant Williams meaning South Africa are awarded a penalty. They kick it into touch and launch back a lineout which goes uncontested.

These opening minutes have been quite aggresive with both teams wrestling for control of the ball and the game. Neither is on top yet.

New Zealand get a scrum.

South Africa 0-0 New Zealand

6 mins: There’s been some crunching tackles already with South Africa chipping away at the field position New Zealand gained following the first penalty.

Handre Pollard slots a grubber kick through the All Blacks line but Jordie Barrett scopps it up and boots it back down the field.

South Africa 0-0 New Zealand

3 mins: Grant Williams takes too long to resume the match after the opening tackle and hands New Zealand a scrum deep in his own half.

The All Blacks try to get something going but South Africa’s defence is strong and quick. Mark Tele’a is thrown off the ball as part of a tackle. He spills it and the Springboks win a scrum of their own.

Kick off! South Africa 0-0 New Zealand

Siya Kolisi is such an inspiring figurehead for South African rugby. He’s an articulate and passionate speaker and he’s very good at playing rugby.

The Springboks captain belts out his country’s national anthem before the All Blacks perform their haka. The South Africans look back with stern and stoic faces

Now this match gets underway with the All Blacks launching the ball into the air.

South Africa v New Zealand

Here we go.

The second test of this double header between South Africa and New Zealand. The Springboks won a close tight match last time out and another victory here will see them win the Freedom Cup for the first time since 2009.

New Zealand will want to respond positively. There pretty much threw the game away in Johannesburg but have good memories of playing in Cape Town.

The players make their way out onto the pitch, kick off is up next...

Springboks and All Blacks collide again as rugby’s tectonic plates shift on and off the pitch

South of the Equator, the tectonic plates of rugby are shifting. Secure back-to-back wins against New Zealand this weekend and South Africa will all but make certain of a rare Rugby Championship crown, knocking the All Blacks of a throne they have occupied for most of the last two decades.

As any Springboks fan will tell you when discussing even a tenuously tangential topic, South Africa now have four World Cup wins to New Zealand’s three, but their record in this competition has been curiously poor. Since the transformative arrival of Rassie Erasmus, they have won the Rugby Championship just once; in the last two decades, that tally of titles grows only to three.

Springboks and All Blacks collide again as tectonic plates shift on and off the pitch

All Blacks starting XV

New Zealand XV: 1 Tamaiti Williams, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax; 4 Scott Barrett (capt.), 5 Tupou Vaa’i; 6 Wallace Sititi, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Ardie Savea; 9 Cortez Ratima, 10 Damian McKenzie; 11 Mark Tele’a, 12 Jordie Barrett, 13 Rieko Ioane, 14 Sevu Reece; 15 Will Jordan.

Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Luke Jacobson; 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Beauden Barrett.

South Africa starting XV

South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Frans Malherbe; 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Ruan Nortje; 6 Siya Kolisi (capt.), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Grant Williams, 10 Handre Pollard; 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Canan Moodie; 15 Willie le Roux.

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Kwagga Smith, 20 Elrigh Louw; 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Lukhanyo Am.

South Africa v New Zealand

New Zealand will look to hit back and keep their Rugby Championship hopes alive in the second of back-to-back meetings with South Africa.

The Springboks emerged victorious in Johannesburg last weekend as Grant Williams’ late try capped a captivating comeback and sealed a narrow 31-27 win.

The All Blacks had appeared in control at 27-17 ahead during the second half, but another final quarter collapse is reason for concern for Scott Robertson after similar failings in their defeat to Argentina at the start of the tournament.

The two sides swap the Highveld for the Cape Town coast as they again renew one of rugby’s most storied rivalries.

RFU unveil new agreement to ‘reshape the rugby landscape’ as Steve Borthwick given greater control over players

England’s Rugby Football Union (RFU), Premiership Rugby and The Rugby Players’ Association have unveiled the long-awaited Professional Game Partnership (PGP) that will shape English rugby for the next eight years.

The agreement is unveiled after 18 months of negotiation and collaboration between stakeholders within the sport with the aim of developing “world-leading English teams and thriving professional leagues”.

RFU unveil new agreement to ‘reshape the rugby landscape’

More from Springboks assistant coach

“You can never relax, not when you’re playing against the All Blacks,” Stick explained, “We’ve never been in a position like this in the past… you know how difficult it is to win a Freedom Cup away from the All Blacks. You need to win two games to get it away from them.

“We’ve been doing well against them, winning one game and then they win one game and they retain that Freedom Cup. It’s a very special trophy.

“If you look at where we are as a country, for example, 30 years of democracy, I think that trophy speaks volumes into what we stand for as a Springbok team currently.

“Yes, we spoke about it… I know we haven’t played a lot of games against the All Blacks here in Cape Town, the last one was in 2017, and now if you look at the team and what we stand for, I think the timing of bringing the game back into Cape Town… we are given an opportunity make a difference between the four lines.

“It’s going to be a great vibe, it’s going to be a great occasion… I know our people will be behind us and we’ll do everything in our powers to make sure that we are least give them a taste of that Freedom Cup.”

‘You can never underestimate New Zealand'

Springboks assistant coach Mzwandile Stick has warned “you can never underestimate” the All Blacks ahead of this weekend’s clash in Cape Town.

“You can never be too comfortable when you play against the All Blacks and we know they’re going to be a desperate team,” Stick told reporters on Friday.

“You saw after they lost against us at the Mbombela Stadium, they managed to bounce back. That’s the quality of a New Zealand team – if you’re not at your best on a day, they will put you away. (It’s) also a lesson we can learn from Argentina earlier in the Championship.

“Once again, they’ve got world-class players and they’re a well-coached side. On a day, if you’re not at your best they will punish you. If you look at the changes they’ve got now in their team, you look at that back three, you don’t really want to give those guys some space and enough time to make decisions because they will punish you, they’re world-class players.

“You can never underestimate an All Blacks team. But once again, we’ve done everything in our power to make sure we’re well prepared also for the game.”

All Blacks v South Africa history

Played: 107

All Blacks wins: 62

South Africa wins: 41

Draws: 4

The All Blacks are playing at Cape Town Stadium for the first time, a venue that was used for the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

In their 11 previous visits to Cape Town they have played at Newlands Stadium where New Zealand have an impressive 7-3 record against South Africa. They also thrashed England in the 1995 World Cup semi-final at Newlands.

Their previous visit to Cape Town was in 2017, a 25-24 victory.

Is South Africa vs New Zealand on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Rugby Championship fixture

Only around an hour until kick-off now, so another reminder how you can watch todays’s match.

When is it?

South Africa vs New Zealand is due to kick off at 4pm BST on Saturday 7 September at Cape Town Stadium.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Mix, with coverage starting at 3.50pm BST. Subscribers can also stream the match via Sky Go.

Stuart Hogg to start for Montpellier on return to rugby this weekend

Former Scotland captain Stuart Hogg will play his first competitive match in more than 16 months after being selected to start for Montpellier in their Top 14 campaign opener at home to Lyon on Saturday.

The 32-year-old retired from professional rugby in July 2023, in the lead-up to the World Cup in France, reasoning that “my body has not been able to do the things I wanted and needed it to do”.

However, after a tumultuous year out of the game in which he was plagued by off-field issues including being arrested for alleged domestic abuse, it was announced in July that Hogg would be returning to top-level rugby after signing for Montpellier on a two-year contract.

Stuart Hogg to start for Montpellier on return to rugby this weekend

Blackadder on bouncing back

The All Blacks camp has been focused on bouncing back from the narrow loss last weekend with Ethan Blackadder underlining the motivation of the side.

“I don’t think [there’s increased pressure],” Blackadder told reporters. “I think we’re actually more excited because we know we were close in that game. The motivation (in the group) is high to get it right.”

Robertson explains All Blacks’ changes

Will Jordan shifts to fullback, Sevu Reece comes in on the right wing with Mark Tele’a brought in on the left for the test in Cape Town.

TJ Perenara is replaced at scrumhalf by Cortez Ratima, who gets only his second start for the All Blacks, while Wallace Sititi, who made his debut in July, takes the place of Blackadder on the blindside of the scrum.

“It is an opportunity to give Will a run at fullback. He has trained well and covers fullback anyway in the game with how we play,” Robertson said.

“Sevu is a world class wing, we are fortunate to have some quality players in the squad. Will and Sevu have played a lot of rugby together.”

All Blacks bench Beauden Barrett for second Springboks clash

New Zealand have dropped full-back Beauden Barrett and scrumhalf TJ Perenara to the bench in four changes to their starting line-up to face South Africa in the Rugby Championship on Saturday as Ethan Blackadder and Caleb Clarke miss out through injury.

”It was a tough conversation, but both are great team men, they have been around a long time,” head coach Scott Robertson told reporters. “The All Black jersey is important to all of us. If they have to come on and finish the job they will.

“They want to start and be out there for the majority of the match but they understand (why the decision has been made). It is two great names to have come on and finish the job for us.”

Marlie Packer says England will benefit from ‘toughest’ pre-season in big year

Looking a bit closer to home, Marlie Packer has no doubt that one of the toughest pre-seasons she can remember with England will pay dividends in the short and long term.

The biggest 12 months in Red Roses history begins on Saturday when England tackle fierce Six Nations rivals France at Kingsholm.

They host New Zealand on Saturday week in a second preparation Test before heading to Canada for the WXV1, when their opponents will be the Black Ferns again, United States and Canada.

Marlie Packer says England will benefit from ‘toughest’ pre-season in big year

Erasmus on bench split versus New Zealand

Rassie Erasmus revealed why he decided to go for a standard 5-3 split on the bench instead of the 6-2 which has become the more regular option for the Springboks during his time in charge when his team took on New Zealand.

“I think a guy like Salmaan Moerat is very unlucky not to be in this team so to unpack it, two loose forwards on the bench, then Pieter-Steph du Toit covers lock, so we can probably put on the two loose forwards on in some way,” he said.

The head coach also explained why the Springboks decided against citing Sam Cane for his tackle on Siya Kolisi at Ellis Park.

“He (Cane) came over and apologised. When you look at the action, yes, he could go a bit lower; but I don’t think he went for Siya’s head. It was just a head-on-head, it wasn’t with his shoulder it was his head on Siya’s nose. Sometimes it goes for you and against you.

“The poor guy was red carded in a World Cup final. It wouldn’t have been nice to see him get a red card again.”

Siya Kolisi passed fit for South Africa

“Siya had two options, because it is a nose fracture. He could either have it set back now and be out for three weeks, or have it done in two weeks, which is what he has chosen,” head coach Rassie Erasmus told reporters.

“We asked Siya the question if he would be half-hearted in contact because his nose is sore, but he came through training this week without any problem.”

Veteran prop James Slipper to equal Wallabies cap record in Argentina clash: ‘He’s like a fine wine’

Some news from today’s other Rugby Championship match...

A proud moment awaits for Australia prop James Slipper who will get the opportunity to equal the nation’s record for most Test caps after being picked to play in the Rugby Championship clash with Argentina on Saturday.

Slipper is named among the replacements after missing last weekend’s 20-19 victory over the Pumas due to the birth of his second child, and replaces Isaac Kailea, who is ruled out having sustained a concussion.

The veteran prop now receives the opportunity to get his 139th cap, which will put him alongside former captain George Gregan. Slipper made his debut against England in 2010 and is surprised he’s made it this far with the Wallabies.

Veteran prop James Slipper to equal Wallabies cap record in Argentina clash

Siya Kolisi passed fit as South Africa recall Handre Pollard and Willie le Roux for second New Zealand meeting

South Africa have made seven changes to their starting line-up for the Rugby Championship test against New Zealand in Cape Town on Saturday, including a return at fly half for Handre Pollard and Willie le Roux coming into the team at full-back.

Coach Rassie Erasmus has been able to call on captain Siya Kolisi at flank after he was cleared to play following a facial injury in the 31-27 victory over the All Blacks in Johannesburg last weekend.

“Siya had two options, because it is a nose fracture. He could either have it set back now and be out for three weeks, or have it done in two weeks, which is what he has chosen,” coach Rassie Erasmus told reporters.

Siya Kolisi passed fit as South Africa recall Handre Pollard and Willie le Roux

All Blacks bench Beauden Barrett for second Springboks clash

New Zealand have dropped full-back Beauden Barrett and scrumhalf TJ Perenara to the bench in four changes to their starting line-up to face South Africa in the Rugby Championship on Saturday as Ethan Blackadder and Caleb Clarke miss out through injury.

Coach Scott Robertson moved the experienced Barrett and Perenara to the roles of “finishers” after the All Blacks let a 10-point lead slip in the final 12 minutes of Saturday’s 31-27 defeat by the Springboks in Johannesburg.

”It was a tough conversation, but both are great team men, they have been around a long time,” Robertson told reporters. “The All Black jersey is important to all of us. If they have to come on and finish the job they will”.

All Blacks bench Beauden Barrett for second Springboks clash

Last week’s result means that South Africa have three wins from three, after their mini-tour Down Under and a win in Johannesburg. A win today would likely secure the Championship for them.

The full results so far are below, with attached reports.

Saturday, 10 August

Australia 7-33 South Africa

New Zealand 30-38 Argentina

Saturday, 17 August

New Zealand 42-10 Argentina

Australia 12-30 South Africa

Saturday, 31 August

South Africa 31-27 New Zealand

Argentina 19-20 Australia

Rugby Championship 2024 schedule: Fixtures for South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina

Here are the remaining fixtures in this year’s Rugby Championship, including Argentina v Australia tonight from 8pm BST.

Saturday 7 September

South Africa vs New Zealand, 4pm (Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town)

Argentina vs Australia, 8pm (Estadio Brigadier General Estanislao Lopez, Santa Fe)

Saturday 21 September

Australia vs New Zealand, 6.45am (Accor Stadium, Sydney)

Argentina vs South Africa, 10pm (Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades, Santiago del Estero)

Saturday 28 September

New Zealand vs Australia, 8.05am (Sky Stadium, Wellington)

South Africa vs Argentina, 4pm (Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela)

South Africa apologise for interrupting All Blacks’ Haka before Rugby Championship clash

South Africa have formally apologised to New Zealand after the All Blacks’ Haka was interrupted by music, fireworks and a plane flyover in Johannesburg.

The end of the visitors’ traditional pre-match Maori challenge was overshadowed at Ellis Park ahead of the Springboks’ narrow Rugby Championship win.

New Zealand perform one of two versions of the war dance before every Test, after the national anthems have been sung. Where opposition players could previously confront the All Blacks players, World Rugby rules now ensure that space is left between the two sides.

SA Rugby insisted that there had been an honest error by a sound engineer and they had not intended to interfere with an “iconic moment”.

South Africa apologise for interrupting All Blacks’ Haka with plane flyover

South Africa spring late shock on New Zealand to claim memorable victory in Johannesburg

Here’s the match report from last week...

South Africa scored two late tries to come back from a 10-point deficit and edge New Zealand 31-27 in a bruising Rugby Championship clash at Ellis Park on Saturday that came close to matching the intensity of last year’s World Cup final.

The All Blacks outscored their hosts by four tries to three but the boot of new Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu proved the difference as he contributed 16 points in the first meeting between the teams since October’s Paris clash which South Africa won 12-11.

Bongi Mbonambi, Kwagga Smith and Grant Williams scored the home tries while Feinberg-Mngomezulu was successful with four penalties and two conversions.

South Africa spring late shock on New Zealand to claim memorable victory

Springboks and All Blacks collide again as rugby’s tectonic plates shift on and off the pitch

South of the Equator, the tectonic plates of rugby are shifting. Secure back-to-back wins against New Zealand this weekend and South Africawill all but make certain of a rare Rugby Championship crown, knocking the All Blacks of a throne they have occupied for most of the last two decades.

As any Springboks fan will tell you when discussing even a tenuously tangential topic, South Africa now have four World Cup wins to New Zealand’s three, but their record in this competition has been curiously poor. Since the transformative arrival of Rassie Erasmus, they have won the Rugby Championship just once; in the last two decades, that tally of titles grows only to three.

A fourth crown would be significant but it is how South Africa have evolved since their triumph in Paris last October that is more impressive. If there was a criticism of Siya Kolisi’s side on their runs to glory in Japan and France, it was of a gameplan built around simple, super strengths: forward might, kicking accuracy, suffocating defence.

Springboks and All Blacks collide again as tectonic plates shift on and off the pitch

Is South Africa vs New Zealand on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Rugby Championship fixture

When is it?

South Africa vs New Zealand is due to kick off at 4pm BST on Saturday 7 September at Cape Town Stadium.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Mix, with coverage starting at 3.50pm BST. Subscribers can also stream the match via Sky Go.

All Blacks starting XV

New Zealand XV: 1 Tamaiti Williams, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax; 4 Scott Barrett (capt.), 5 Tupou Vaa’i; 6 Wallace Sititi, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Ardie Savea; 9 Cortez Ratima, 10 Damian McKenzie; 11 Mark Tele’a, 12 Jordie Barrett, 13 Rieko Ioane, 14 Sevu Reece; 15 Will Jordan.

Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Luke Jacobson; 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Beauden Barrett.

All Blacks team news

Beauden Barrett and TJ Perenara drop to the bench for the All Blacks as Scott Robertson looks to match the impact of the Springboks’ replacements. Will Jordan takes Barrett’s place at full-back with Sevu Reece brought in on the wing. With Ethan Blackadder ruled out due to a hamstring injury, Wallace Sititi joins Sam Cane and Ardie Savea in the back row.

South Africa starting XV

South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Frans Malherbe; 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Ruan Nortje; 6 Siya Kolisi (capt.), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Grant Williams, 10 Handre Pollard; 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Canan Moodie; 15 Willie le Roux.

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Kwagga Smith, 20 Elrigh Louw; 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Lukhanyo Am.

South Africa team news

Rassie Erasmus recalls Handre Pollard and Willie le Roux to the starting Springboks’ side, while Siya Kolisi is passed fit despite fracturing his nose in last week’s win. Canan Moodie returns on the wing with Kurt-Lee Arendse dealing with concussion, and Eben Etzebeth moves to within a cap of Victor Matfield’s record tally.

New Zealand will look to hit back and keep their Rugby Championshiphopes alive in the second of back-to-back meetings with South Africa.

The Springboks emerged victorious in Johannesburg last weekend as Grant Williams’ late try capped a captivating comeback and sealed a narrow 31-27 win.

The All Blacks had appeared in control at 27-17 ahead during the second half, but another final quarter collapse is reason for concern for Scott Robertson after similar failings in their defeat to Argentina at the start of the tournament.

The two sides swap the Highveld for the Cape Town coast as they again renew one of rugby’s most storied rivalries.

Good afternoon!

Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of today’s Rugby Championship action as South Africa host New Zealand in the second match of their double header.

The Springboks completed an exceptional comeback to defeat the All Blacks 31-27 last time out and move eight points clear at the top of the table and New Zealand will need to shake off that loss if they are to win today.

They need to inflict a first defeat of the campaign on South Africa if they hope to challenge for the title but it already looks like an uphill battle at the halfway stage.

We’ll have all the team news, updates and more throughout the day so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 4pm.