New Zealand clash with South Africa in Round 4 of the Rugby Championship in Wellington on Saturday and in terms of the title race it's a must win game for the visitors
New Zealand v South Africa, Saturday 13th September, Wellington, KO 09:05 (South African time)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (RA), Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
Weather Forecast - Wellington
New Zealand:
The All Blacks were supported in to -5.5 point favourites when these teams met at Auckland in Round 3 and the total points line was chalked up at 48.5. New Zealand started strongly and led 14-3 at half time but in what was a mighty battle South Africa came back into it but eventually came up short as New Zealand ran out winners 24-17. Narawa, Jordan and Tupaea were the New Zealand try scorers at Eden Park and they held on at the death when South Africa threatened a try which could have led to a tie.
The All Blacks were in Argentina for the first 2 rounds of the tournament. A full house of log points in a 41-24 victory over Los Pumas in Round 1 was a perfect start but they paid the price for ill discipline in their Round 2 defeat (29-23) to in Buenos Aires.
After this game New Zealand finish up at home and then away to Australia. They come into the weekend 1 point clear of Australia at the top of the standings and 4 better off than South Africa and Argentina.
On the back of the Round 3 results the All Blacks price to win the 2025 Rugby Championship title has shortened in to 7/20 with Betway.
South Africa:
Marx and Reinach scored second half tries for the Springboks in the 24-17 Round 3 defeat to New Zealand in Auckland. Both tries were converted by Feinberg-Mnogomezulu and Pollard landed a penalty but in a gripping finale they could not find a way through for a third try which, if converted, would have seen them force a draw. In the end a losing bonus point was their only reward.
South Africa hosted Australia in the first 2 rounds of the tournament. In Round 1 in Johannesburg they started in the region of 16.5 point favourites, however they came unstuck as the Wallabies put in a sterling second half display to come back from 22-0 down early on to win 38-22. In Cape Town in Round 2 the Boks came out on top 30-22.
South Africa have 5 log points and an identical record to Argentina. They will host Los Pumas in Round 5 before taking them on for a second time in the final round in a game which will be staged at Twickenham.
South Africa are now 4.45/1 with Betway to defend the Rugby Championship title they won in 2024.
Recent Head to Head
2025 RC Auckland New Zealand 24-17 South Africa
2024 RC Cape Town South Africa 18-12 New Zealand
2024 RC Johannesburg South Africa 31-27 New Zealand
2023 RWC Final Paris New Zealand 11-12 South Africa
2023 RWC (WU) Twickenham New Zealand 7-35 South Africa
2023 RC Auckland New Zealand 35-20 South Africa
2022 RC Johannesburg South Africa 23–35 New Zealand
2022 RC Nelspruit South Africa 26-10 New Zealand
Team News
New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Fabian Holland, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Ruben Love
South Africa: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Andre Esterhuizen
The Betting
Average early show, subject to change
New Zealand -3.5 points at 9/10
South Africa +3.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
This Weeks Bets
Brent Graham's betting angle and plays for Week 4 of the Rugby Championship will be posted on our this Blog which you can view here.
Likewise Currie Cup semi final and Womens RWC news and bets will be posted in separate blogs
Finally, all this week's rugby tips from members of the Goodforthegame community can be found on the weekly rugby thread on our brand new discussion forum. If you haven't done so already, register a forum account here.