An NFL stadium, and a first for both nations
M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, home of the Ravens, stages a rugby Test on Saturday night. Kick-off is 5pm Eastern.
Neither South Africa nor New Zealand has ever faced the other on American soil.
The Springboks lead the series 2-1. They lost the opener at Ellis Park, then took the next two in Cape Town and Soweto, which leaves the All Blacks playing for a share of the spoils and whatever pride is still on the table.
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Erasmus keeps 21 of his 23
Two changes. That is all Rassie Erasmus saw fit to make from the side that won in Soweto. Damian Willemse returns from injury at full-back, and Cheslin Kolbe drops out with a broken jaw.
Ethan Hooker and Kurt-Lee Arendse fill out the back three. Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel pair up again in midfield. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu holds on to the No 10 jersey with a new partner beside him, Morne van den Berg getting the nod over Cobus Reinach, who drops to the bench.
The pack is untouched: Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw across the front row, Eben Etzebeth and Ruan Nortje at lock, Siya Kolisi captaining from the back row alongside Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese.
Mo’unga’s first Test since the 2023 final
Three years away from the Test arena. Richie Mo’unga plays his first international since New Zealand lost the 2023 World Cup final, with Cam Roigard at scrum-half beside him.
Ardie Savea misses out, so Codie Taylor captains from hooker, which the All Blacks almost never do. Peter Lakai wears No 8, Tupou Vaa’i shifts to blindside, and Ethan Blackadder rounds out a back row without Luke Jacobson.
Jordie Barrett stays at 12. Anton Lienert-Brown comes in beside him for the injured Quinn Tupaea. Josh Moorby and Will Jordan take the wings, Damian McKenzie the No 15 shirt. Ethan de Groot and Fletcher Newell are promoted out of the bench, and Sam Darry partners Patrick Tuipulotu in the second row.
Karl Dickson of England has the whistle.
Where to watch: Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, SuperSport in South Africa, RugbyPass TV and Paramount+ in the United States, Sky Sport in New Zealand, Stan Sport and Nine in Australia.
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