The Springboks are in pole position to win the Rugby Championship, thanks in part to their biggest rivals, the All Blacks, who host Australia at their fortress in Auckland this weekend.

New Zealand face the Wallabies in the fifth round of the competition at the iconic Eden Park Stadium on Saturday morning. By the time the Springboks take on Argentina later in the afternoon at Kings Park Stadium in Durban, they will already know the result from Auckland—a game that could tilt the title race firmly in their favour.

All Blacks’ Eden Park Record a Major Advantage

The All Blacks are overwhelming favourites against Australia, having not lost at Eden Park since 1994. They are unbeaten in 51 consecutive games at the venue, boasting 49 wins and 2 draws—a near 90% win rate.

The last team to beat New Zealand at Eden Park was France, edging them 23-20 more than three decades ago. The Springboks, meanwhile, have not won at the ground since 1937, a record highlighted when they lost there three weeks ago in their fiercest rugby rivalry.

Australia’s task looks even tougher. The Wallabies have not won at Eden Park since 6 September 1986, and they have lost their last eight matches against the All Blacks.

Springboks Ready for Argentina Challenge

This scenario is positive news for Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks, who lifted the Rugby Championship trophy last year. South Africa currently sit second on the log with 10 points—just one behind leaders Australia and ahead of both New Zealand and Argentina.

To retain the title, the Boks need back-to-back wins against Los Pumas—first at Kings Park on Saturday, and then at Twickenham Stadium in London next weekend.

Siya Kolisi: “This is Like a Semi-Final”

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has downplayed talk of putting on a spectacle, stressing that the clash against Argentina is about results, not entertainment.

“This is not about putting on a show, this is about playing a test rugby,” said Kolisi when he was asked by Sportswire on Friday. 

“We are playing the semi-final tomorrow [Saturday]. We, Argentina, have an opportunity to win the Rugby Championship. 

“We just want to play and no matter what it takes for us, [we want to win]. But we are grateful for all the support we have received throughout the year from the people of South Africa, it hasn’t been an easy year, it has been tough weeks of losing some games. 

“But we have shown how resilient we are as a team and those are the positives we can take. But tomorrow we are going to go out there and play different rugby and respect Argentina because they are an amazing team. 

“I don’t think they get enough credit because they really are a strong team, and they have shown what they could do from last year to this year. They are just getting better and better.” 

Argentina’s Threat

Argentina have proven their quality in this year’s competition, beating both New Zealand and Australia. The Springboks know the danger Los Pumas bring, especially after losing to them away last year before clinching the trophy with a victory in Mbombela.

With the championship finely balanced, Saturday’s clash at Kings Park could decide whether the Springboks take another step towards back-to-back Rugby Championship titles.