𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

New Zealand are drawing on “gold nuggets” of wisdom from coaching guru Wayne Smith as they prepared for today’s heavyweight Rugby Championship clash against world champions South Africa at Eden Park.

It is 31 years since New Zealand were last beaten at Eden Park, today’s venue, a 50-match streak that began with an 18-all draw with South Africa. From World Cup glory in 2011 to a dramatic draw with the British and Irish Lions in 2017, the Auckland annals are deep and rich – and the Springboks are relishing the opportunity to try and snap the streak.

“The magnitude of the game is something that excites me,” stand-in captain Jesse Kriel told reporters on Friday.

“I think as a competitor, and most guys will say the same thing, you want to be involved in the biggest of test matches and this is right up there.

“You want to test yourself against the best, whether it’s in your position, or whether it’s (against a team higher) in the world rankings.

“It doesn’t get any bigger and any more exciting than this for a player.”

New Zealand and South Africa collide in a mighty meeting of southern hemisphere heavyweights as the pair renew their rivalry in a crunch clash. After shock defeats in rounds two and one respectively, this fixture, the first of back-to-back meetings, could well prove vital in determining the destination of this year’s Rugby Championship crown.

Kick off at Eden Park is at 8.05am BST.