After a week’s break, The Rugby Championship returns with a change of scenery, as Australia and New Zealand have embarked on their own mini-tours to Argentina and South Africa respectively.
Bouncing back to a thumping win over the Pumas in Round 2, the All Blacks will face their biggest task yet under new coach Scott Robertson when they take on the world champions in Johannesburg. The task has been made even more challenging with the shock departure of assistant coach Leon MacDonald on the eve of their departure.
Meanwhile, the Wallabies have made a poor start to their campaign soundly beaten twice by the Springboks in Brisbane and Perth. Joe Schmidt will be hoping he can get his attack firing when they take on the Pumas over two weeks.
Read on as we bring you the latest team news below and look ahead to the Round 3 clashes.
Saturday, August 17
South Africa vs. New Zealand, Emirates Airline Par, Johannesburg, 1am AEST [3am NZT, 5pm RSA, 12pm ARG]
Springboks: Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach, Jasper Wiese, Ben-Jason Dixon, Siya Kolisi (captain), Ruan Nortje, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche
Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Marco van Staden, Elrigh Louw, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Handre Pollard
All Blacks:
Replacements:
Team news: Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus hasn’t named Eben Etzebeth, though the veteran lock remains a chance to face the All Blacks as he battles a foot injury. For now, Ruan Nortje and Pieter-Steph du Toit will team up in the second-row, while Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi and Ox Nche all return to the pack. In the backs, Erasmus has stuck with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at No. 10 but recalled Cobus Reinach inside him, while Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe all return after sitting out the second Test with Australia.
The All Blacks will name their team on Thursday.
Prediction:
Argentina vs. Australia, Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi, Buenos Aires, 8am AEST [10am NZ, 12am SA, 7pm ARG]
Pumas:
Replacements:
Wallabies
Replacements:
Team news:
Prediction: