Boks aim to end All Blacks' 31-year unbeaten run at Eden Park fortress
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi said the team's success, and beating New Zealand at Eden Park, are more important than him reaching 100 Test caps. Picture:Springbok captain Siya Kolisi says ending New Zealand's 31-year winning streak at Eden Park is one of the top priorities for the national side this year.
The All Blacks have not lost to a visiting team at the Auckland venue since 1994, when France snatched a 23–20 victory thanks to a late try by Jean-Luc Sadourny, which was called the 'try from the end of the world'. New Zealand recorded their 50th consecutive win at the venue in August last year.
Boks on 15 wins out of 17
The top-ranked Springboks are likewise in a good space. They've won all four matches so far this season, fielding 47 new players, and were victorious in 11 of their 13 games last season.
They will take on the All Blacks at Eden Park in their first Rugby Championship encounter on 6 September.
In discussing his goals for the rest of the year, Kolisi said a win at the venue would be crucial to remaining the number one team in the world, which was his main goal.
'We would have to win in Auckland to be number one. It would be great if we could be number one and win all our games, with players also getting opportunities along the way.'
Kolisi has 93 Test caps after the Springboks' 55–10 win over Georgia in Mbombela at the weekend. It is possible for him to reach 100 caps by the end of the season. But when asked about this, he said he would rather see the team succeed.
'If the team can get all the goals, that is most important,' he said.
Kolisi: Team success is more important than a personal milestone
The skipper added: 'I am trying not to think of it to be honest. It's obviously a huge honour to play 100 games. But I don't want to think so far ahead. It could happen this year. It could happen next year. Either way, I am just grateful that I can just play again.'
The Bok captain said it was more important to see growth in his personal game, as well as in the squad.
'We are going to be judged on the standards that the guys have set last week. It doesn't matter what the opposition does. If I am going to clean, how am I cleaning? Yes we can win the ball back but how did I clean? What was my intention in that clean?
'More importantly, just us getting better and delivering on the things that coach is speaking about.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
5 hours ago
- The Citizen
Proteas edged by Black Caps in thrilling T20 tri-series final
Needing seven runs off the last over, the SA team lost two wickets for three runs. Proteas batter Lhuan-dre Pretorius scored his first T20 International half-century in the tri-series final against New Zealand. Picture: Matthew Lewis/ICC/Getty Images South Africa crumbled at the death on Saturday as they were edged out by New Zealand in a three-run defeat in a thrilling T20 International tri-series final in Harare. Having lost to the Black Caps twice in the round robin phase of the series, the under-strength SA team looked set to hit back and lift the series trophy. However, needing just seven runs off the last over, which was bowled by seamer Matt Henry, the Proteas lost two wickets for just three runs. Good start by South Africa Chasing 181 runs to win, the Proteas had got off to a good start after struggling in the early stages of their innings throughout the series. Teenager Lhuan-dre Pretorius hit his maiden T20 International half-century at the top of the order, contributing 51 runs off 35 balls in a 92-run stand with opening partner Reeza Hendricks (37 off 31). But after both players were removed midway through the innings, the Proteas lost momentum as they were restricted to 177/6 in their 20 overs. Earlier, after being sent in to bat, New Zealand's top order stood firm, anchored by Devon Conway (47 off 31) and Rachin Ravindra (47 off 27). The SA team's bowling attack, who struggled to get on top of their opposition, were led by seamer Lungi Ndigi who took 2/24.
The Citizen
14 hours ago
- The Citizen
Black Caps tipped to win T20 tri-series final against Proteas
New Zealand have won both games they have played against South Africa thus far in the tri-series. Rassie van der Dussen will captain the Proteas in the T20 tri-series final in Harare on Saturday. Picture: Lee Warren/Gallo Images If South Africa can hit back against New Zealand this weekend, they will not only make amends for earlier defeats in the T20 International tri-series in Harare, but there could also be a decent payout for punters who put their faith in them. With the Black Caps having won both games between the two sides thus far in the two-week series, they will turn out as the favourites on paper. But the second-string SA squad will be hungry to bounce back and lift the trophy in the final to be contested in Harare on Saturday (1pm start). While New Zealand are one place ahead of South Africa in the T20 world rankings, the SA team have a better overall record in previous matches between the two teams. In the 17 games played between the Proteas and the Black Caps since they first met in a T20 clash in 2005, South Africa have triumphed on 11 occasions. However, in the only two matches they have played in the last eight years – both contested over the last fortnight – New Zealand emerged victorious. Bets on offer In return for your Betway cash, backing New Zealand for the win offers 1.57, while a Proteas victory will give you 2.40. In the case of an unlikely tie at the end of the game, this riskier option offers 13.50. Among a wide range of other available bets, odds of up to 100.00 are on offer for various lower-order batters to top score, and there are options to back the team with the best batter and bowler. These Betway odds are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
IOL News
14 hours ago
- IOL News
WATCH: SA's Super Rugby departure a huge loss for New Zealand, says All Blacks icon Carlos Spencer
All Blacks legend Carlos Spencer (left) at the girl's rugby clinic held at Schotsche Kloof Walmers RFC ground in Cape Town this week. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane Indepedent Media Image: Ayanda Ndamane Indepedent Media NESTLED at the foot of Table Mountain lies the Green Point Track, home of Schotsche Kloof Walmers RFC, a significant venue not only in the realm of rugby but as a bastion for non-racial sport in South Africa. This historic ground has witnessed legends, most notably Fagmie "Fluffy" Solomons, whose skills electrified the pitch during the politically charged 1980s when rugby transcended mere sport to become a symbolic platform for change. Solomons, a flyhalf characterised by his vision and creativity, was a beacon for a generation that could only dream of watching their hero parade his skills with the likes of the Du Plessis brothers and Rob Louw in the Currie Cup down at Boundary Road in Newlands. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Our generation was deprived of witnessing Solomons in his prime, which forced us to look elsewhere for heroes even as Apartheid succumbed to a new era in the early 1990s. This period ushered in the unification of the game, professionalism, and ultimately the inception of Super Rugby halfway through the decade. Despite the early morning starts Down Under, everyone would rise often before the sun had, for there was one figure from Down Under who captured the imagination of fans worldwide: Carlos Spencer. The proud Maori, doubled-down with the ink emblazoned on his chiseled-perfect chest, lit up the screens with all his creativity and X-factor that revolutionised the game and transformed the Auckland Blues into a domestic superpower. He was everything current Stormers and Springbok flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is and more, with the pass between the legs, double pump passes, knee kicks, reverse and behind-the-back passes and, of course, the banana kick. 'It was just about expressing myself, just enjoying it. I love the game, I love having fun, and having fun for me was really about it. I just love expressing myself and I just love creating stuff,' the All Black legend told Independent Media in an exclusive interview at SK Walmers Rugby Club this week. 'The luxury of having good players around me which allowed me to do that, but it's just that fun. I took to the game early, it started at a young age and it stuck with me right through my professional career. I enjoyed every minute of it.' Much time has passed since Spencer, affectionately known as 'The King', razzled and dazzled, running rings around defenders clutching at air whilst trying to catch up to the mercurial pivot. Spencer's son Payton, now playing for his father's self-same Blues, does not play against South African teams in Super Rugby Pacific with local franchises affiliated to the United Rugby Championship (URC) in the northern hemisphere now. Spencer, who went to play in South Africa for the Lions and coach the now-defunct Southern Kings in the Eastern Cape, feels the absence of South African teams, such as the Stormers, Bulls and Sharks, has left a major hole in New Zealand rugby. 'We're definitely missing them,' he said. 'I think that was always the big question when the South African teams decided to move on. I think New Zealand rugby has shown that we've missed them over the last few years. 'I think not only as players, but I just think as a fan base as well. It's a huge loss for New Zealand rugby. It's unfortunate for us as New Zealanders because the Bokke are one of our biggest rivals. 'We just love playing against the South Africans. So, without a doubt, it's a massive loss for New Zealand rugby.' How good to have Carlos Spencer back in South Africa 👑 He's an assistant coach with the Black Ferns XV and spoke to us about the coaching clinic they attended in Cape Town and growing women's rugby 🗣️👏 📺 Saturday | 17:00 Kick-Off | Variety 3#SSRugby | #HereForHer — SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 24, 2025 The landscape has changed to such an extent that its Spencer's former All Black teammate, and fellow flyhalf, Tony Brown is now the mastermind behind the double world champion Springboks' new-found attacking gameplan, guiding the decision-making of Bok playmakers Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Manie Libbok and Handre Pollard. 'Like we said earlier, the game's changing. Coaches are moving around. He's (Brown) got all the skillset. He's got a great attacking mindset,' the 49-year-old said. 'I think he's shown that within the Boks. He's shown that within the Highlanders. He's just one of those intelligent coaches that is innovative. He doesn't mind bringing something different to the attack. 'It's good for New Zealand rugby when you see coaches moving on and doing things for other countries. It's awesome.' Spencer, equally, has enjoyed a much-travelled post-playing career that has seen him coach the Men's game in New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, USA and soon in Ireland. However, his current role has seen him switch to Women's Rugby, where he works with his beloved Blues on the North Island and now also with the Black Ferns XV. It is the latter that has brought him to Cape Town for a two-match series against the Springbok Women's side, which kicks off at Athlone Stadium on Saturday, in preparation for their Rugby World Cup campaign in England next month. 'It's been the space I've been in for the last few years and I've really enjoyed it,' he said. 'I've been lucky enough to get involved with the Black Ferns 15, which has been good. 'I'm just here as one of the assistant coaches, looking after the attack in the back. We've brought a pretty young team over, so a really good experience, really exciting, great opportunity for some of our young girls.' The Black Ferns XV will have Hannah King running out in the No 10 jumper against the Boks at Athlone Stadium. Don't be surprised if the young pivot attempts an outrageous pass or cross-field kick. She'll only be following in the footsteps of the great King Carlos.
