Springboks the last hurdle for All-Blacks | Thebigtip

The Tri Nations resumes on Saturday and there's a lot at stake when the Springboks host the All Blacks.

History will be made when the Springboks face the All Blacks in an epic Tri-Nations encounter at FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday at 17:00.

It will be the arch-rivals’ first meeting at the iconic stadium, which hosted the FIFA World Cup final last month, in front of potentially the largest crowd for a home Springbok Test in 55 years since an estimated 95 000 people attended the South Africa-Lions Test at Ellis Park in 1955.

After remaining undefeated in the tournament so far, the All Blacks are very close from wrapping up the title, needing only one bonus point.

The All Blacks will want to go through with an unbeaten record after consecutive wins over both the Boks and Wallabies last month.

But while New Zealand have plenty to play for, the same can be said of the Springboks.

Remember-“Beware of the wounded Springbok”

Captain John Smit will become only the second player to win 100 Test caps for South Africa when he leads the world champions onto the field in the Soweto showdown. Yet he is now under intense pressure to hold his spot in the team.

While his leadership has not been questioned, his form hasn’t been the best. On Saturday he will need to stand up and demonstrate to his country that he is the right man to lead the Boks in their Rugby World Cup title defence next year.

But he’s not alone. As Greg Clarke from fox sports points out-“ Even the former ‘Mr Reliable’, Victor Matfield (98 caps) came in for some criticism after the side went winless on the three-match tour of Australasia.

In South Africa it is hoped that after a few weeks rest the Springboks’ most-capped starting player will be back to his best against the All Blacks.

The South Africa forwards were outplayed by New Zealand and Australia and they’ll be out to make amends in front of a large parochial home crowd.

The Springbok back line has really struggled without the injured scrumhalf Fourie DuPreez steering them around the paddock, with his precise tactical kicking. It’s clear that flyhalf Morne Steyn doesn’t have the same confidence when his Bulls’ teammate is missing.

During this series scoring opportunities for the likes of Bryan Habana have been very rare and he now needs to make an impact.

The All Blacks might have won both Tests so far against South Africa but the Boks won all three last year and on home ground I am sure they will put in a much better showing from them this weekend.

If the Springboks remain disciplined and keep 15 men on the paddock, unlike their three previous Tri Nations matches this year, they’ll test the All Blacks.

But New Zealand have every reason to be confident. They have won five of the their last ten Tests on South African soil, including two wins at altitude in Pretoria when they averaged 48 points per game.

It’s hard to tip against the All Blacks them this time, but as Greg Clarke from Fox Sports says “if there’s any complacency they’ll find themselves up against it.”

The Wallabies will hope the Springboks can beat the All Blacks while stopping them from picking up a bonus point.

That will keep Australia’s very slim hopes of winning the Tri Nations alive. It’s a long shot but it doesn’t hurt to dream occasionally.

They’ll be playing in a packed FNB Stadium in Soweto, the venue for the Football World Cup final.

I am tipping the Al Blacks to win by 5 points.