The two sides meet in a blockbuster World Cup warm-up clash in London tonight.
EVEN WITH ENGLAND playing on home soil for the last time before they depart for the World Cup, there’s a sense there’s only one show in town at Twickenham this weekend – and it isn’t the one involving Steve Borthwick’s side.
And both the Springboks and All Blacks will head into the World Cup with realistic ambitions of making the final on 28 October. While Wales were poor in Cardiff last week, South Africa were fit, powerful and accurate in running up 52 points, making a noticeable effort to play with more width.Tonight will provide a clearer indication of where they stand but Ireland’s pool opponents will be confident about their chances in France. Their pack remains their obvious point of strength and Munster’s Jean Kleyn – a World Cup tourist with Ireland in 2019 – has impressed since joining the squad this summer.
In a Rugby Championship clash in Auckland last month, the visitors found themselves 17-0 down after just 16 minutes, and while they eventually pulled a few scores back to lose 35-20, there was never any coming back from that disastrous start. Former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has been a shrewd addition to Ian Foster’s coaching team. After a spell of thoroughly underwhelming performances Schmidt was drafted in to help steady the ship and his influence has been telling.
Richie Mo’unga and Aaron Smith are a classy half-back pairing and Beauden Barrett has shone at fullback. It’s been a messy couple of years for New Zealand rugby, but typically, they have the look of a team who will take some beating when it matters most.
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