South Africa captain Siya Kolisi says the Springboks will be ready to face a much-changed All Blacks side as the world champions look to wrap up a series victory in Baltimore this morning.
The Springboks face the All Blacks in the fourth and final Test of their “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” series at M&T Bank Stadium, after taking a 2-1 lead from the opening three Tests in South Africa.
New Zealand coach Dave Rennie has made a raft of changes to his starting line-up for the series decider, following the All Blacks’ 29-24 defeat in Johannesburg last Sunday.
Those changes include an entirely new-look front row, with veteran hooker Codie Taylor returning to captain the New Zealanders alongside props Ethan de Groot and Fletcher Newell.
Kolisi says the changes have sharpened South Africa’s preparations for a game they are strong favourites to win.
He says they know what is coming and that it has been a tough three games so far.
He adds that it has been really hard, but they definitely want to win the series.
South Africa assistant coach Mzwandile Stick says the All Blacks’ recall of mercurial fly-half Richie Mo’unga hints at a more expansive game plan from New Zealand.
He says Mo’unga is world class and they know how dangerous he is, but they have played against him many times and have done their homework.
Today’s Test is being played in Baltimore as part of World Rugby-backed efforts to boost the profile of the sport in the United States, as the country prepares to host the 2031 Rugby World Cup.
A sell-out crowd of 71,000 is expected at M&T Bank Stadium for what is the highest-profile Test match ever played on US soil.
The All Blacks will face the Springboks at 9 this morning.
Source: rugby.com.au
