Springboks vs All Blacks 1st Test Latest Tips - Starts Shortly
South Africa are set to face New Zealand at Ellis Park in the first Test, kicking off at 17:10 SAST on 22 August. The Springboks arrive with a 12-match unbeaten run and are 7.5-point favorites, boasting a strong recent record and home advantage. New Zealand, however, bring back key strike players like Will Jordan and Ardie Savea, making for a challenging contest. The recommendation leans towards South Africa -7.5, projecting an 8-12 point victory for the Boks, but cautions that New Zealand's firepower could keep the game close.
- Springboks favored by 7.5 points at Ellis Park after dominant recent performances
- Key All Blacks return, including Will Jordan and Ardie Savea, could narrow margin
- Tip: SA -7.5, predicting Springboks to win by 8-12 points
South Africa have picked power, pace and a six-two bench for the first Test at Ellis Park. The Boks start as 7.5-point favourites, but New Zealand's returning strike players make that line the real decision for SA punters.
Match kicks off at 17:10 SAST in Johannesburg on Saturday 22 August.
South Africa are 7.5-point favourites at Betway, with Will Jordan returning for his first tour appearance
Rivalry numbers point in two directions
New Zealand still own the overall record. Across the first 110 Tests, the All Blacks won 63, South Africa won 43 and four finished level, according to the All Blacks' official rivalry record.
The recent trend belongs to the Boks. South Africa have won five of the last six meetings, including the 43-10 victory in Wellington last year, as reported by Reuters.
Ellis Park has also leaned green and gold. These sides have met there 16 times, with South Africa leading 10-6 after their 31-27 win at the ground in 2024.
Form guide
South Africa arrive on a 12-match unbeaten run. Their latest result was a 17-10 away win over Argentina, and the confidence built across that run matters when a handicap asks the Boks to win by more than one converted try.
New Zealand have won six in a row. The run includes Nations Championship wins over France, Italy and Ireland, followed by tour victories against the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls.
Springbok team news
Siya Kolisi trained well and was available, but the selectors have taken a cautious route after his injury return. Paul de Villiers starts at six, with Pieter-Steph du Toit captaining the side from seven.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu starts at flyhalf after making only one appearance, against Argentina, since his long injury layoff. Damian de Allende reaches 100 Tests and becomes the 10th Springbok to hit the milestone, according to SA Rugby.
15 Damian WillemseFullback
14 Cheslin KolbeRight wing
13 Jesse KrielOutside centre
12 Damian de AllendeInside centre
11 Kurt-Lee ArendseLeft wing
10 Sacha Feinberg-MngomezuluFlyhalf
9 Grant WilliamsScrumhalf
8 Jasper WieseNo. 8
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain)Flanker
6 Paul de VilliersFlanker
5 Ruan NortjeLock
4 Eben EtzebethLock
3 Wilco LouwTighthead prop
2 Malcolm MarxHooker
1 Ox NcheLoosehead prop
Springbok replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok. The full selection is reported by TimesLIVE.
All Blacks team news
Captain Ardie Savea, scrumhalf Cam Roigard and winger Will Jordan make their first appearances of the tour. Damian McKenzie has also returned from injury to start at fullback.
Jordan is the obvious try-scorer threat. He has 51 tries in 57 Tests, a strike rate confirmed by the All Blacks.
15 Damian McKenzieFullback
14 Will JordanRight wing
13 Quinn TupaeaOutside centre
12 Jordie BarrettInside centre
11 Josh MoorbyLeft wing
10 Ruben LoveFlyhalf
9 Cam RoigardScrumhalf
8 Ardie Savea (captain)No. 8
7 Luke JacobsonFlanker
6 Tupou Vaa'iFlanker
5 Fabian HollandLock
4 Josh LordLock
3 Tyrel LomaxTighthead prop
2 Codie TaylorHooker
1 Ethan de GrootLoosehead prop
All Blacks replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Anton Segner, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Leroy Carter. The selection and returning players are confirmed by the official All Blacks announcement.
Handicap focus: South Africa -7.5
The early handicap has South Africa giving up 7.5 points. That means the Boks need to win by eight or more for the line to land, while a seven-point win is not enough.
We lean towards South Africa -7.5. The Boks have the stronger recent rivalry record, home-ground edge and a bench built to turn pressure into points late, but Jordan and Roigard make this a line rather than a banker.
Verdict
South Africa have enough power to control the closing quarter and enough back-three pace to punish poor exits. Our call is a Springbok win by eight to 12 points, with South Africa -7.5 the main angle and Will Jordan worth watching in the try-scorer market.
Springbok Win by 8-12
-7.5
@7/9 - 1 Unit
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