New Zealand have named a strong line-up, including all three Barrett brothers, for their final Rugby World Cup warm-up fixture against South Africa at neutral Twickenham on Friday (7.30pm).
Coach Ian Foster has selected the same backline that helped beat the Springboks 35-20 during the Rugby Championship in Auckland last month.
Changes from that team include Luke Jacobson replacing injured Shannon Frizell at flanker, Sam Whitelock coming in for Brodie Retallick in the second row and Dane Coles replacing Codie Taylor at hooker.
Foster is keen to give his team a good run ahead of their World Cup opener against France in Paris on 8 September and this presents an excellent opportunity to do so against the old enemy and reigning world champions, who face Ireland in their third Pool B match in Paris on 23 October.
"This is our final game before the Rugby World Cup and this test is critical in our preparation," Foster said. "With just two weeks to go, it's an important opportunity to get us battle-ready for the start of the tournament.
"These games (against South Africa) are always intense and physically challenging, and I’m sure this one will be no different."
Aaron Smith is at scrum-half with Richie Mo'unga in the number 10 jersey, and Rieko Ioane making up the midfield pairing with Jordie Barrett. The back three contains wings Mark Telea and Will Jordan, and Beauden Barrett.
Ardie Savea is at number 8 with captain Sam Cane and Jacobson as flankers, the second row is made up of Scott Barrett and Whitelock, while props Tyrel Lomax and Ethan de Groot pack down either side of Coles.
The All Blacks have made an impressive start to 2023, beating Australia twice to go with wins over Argentina and South Africa, a far cry from their wobbles in 2022 which almost cost Foster his job ahead of the World Cup.
Another victory would send them into the tournament with huge momentum.
They have hosts France, Italy, Uruguay and Namibia in Pool A.
Meanwhile South Africa are eager to get one over their fierce rivals not just because they are the 'old enemy' for the Springboks, but also to take momentum into the World Cup, lock Eben Etzebeth (above) said.
Friendly or not, Etzebeth says there is no way the Boks will drop their intensity on Friday.
"Playing for your country, in one of the best stadiums in the world against South Africa’s biggest rival … it is a Test match, we will give our everything to win," he told reporters.
"We will worry about the World Cup after Friday. But if it goes well (and they win) it will build confidence."
Making sure they do not give New Zealand the same early advantage at they did last month is crucial for South Africa.
"They came with a massive start and we are preparing this week to try and do better," Etzebeth said.
"We need to improve all aspects. We pride ourselves on our set-piece and our defence, and we want to have a good kicking game and attacking play.
"This is going to be one of the most competitive World Cups ever because there are so many teams putting up their hands to go on and win."
He also suggests there is no added pressure on the Boks as defending champions.
"Some might say there is added pressure on us and that teams will come for us. But I don’t know if that is the case, I think each team just wants it really badly," he said.
"They don’t care about us, they just want to win the trophy. If anything we put pressure on ourselves to go out there and win again."
New Zealand: Beauden Barrett; Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Telea; Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith; Ethan de Groot, Dane Coles, Tyrel Lomax; Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett; Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane (capt), Ardie Savea.
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa'i, Dalton Papali'i, Cam Roigard, Anton Lienert-Brown.
South Africa: Damian Willemse; Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi; Manie Libbok, Faf de Klerk; Steven Kitshoff, Malcolm Marx, Frans Malherbe; Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert; Siya Kolisi (capt), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Jean Kleyn, RG Snyman, Marco van Staden, Cobus Reinach, Willie le Roux.
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