What's happened
The Springboks aim to secure the Rugby Championship title with a crucial match against the All Blacks in Cape Town today. After a dramatic comeback win last week, South Africa has made key player changes, while New Zealand seeks redemption to stay in contention for the title.
Why it matters
What the papers say
Michael Jones from The Independent highlights the significance of today's match, noting that South Africa's recent victory has put them in a strong position. He states, 'A win in Cape Town would be a vital step towards securing the Championship title.' In contrast, Nick Said emphasizes the pressure on New Zealand, mentioning that 'a loss today will eliminate them from contention.' This reflects the contrasting stakes for both teams as they approach this crucial encounter.
How we got here
Last week, South Africa defeated New Zealand 31-27 in Johannesburg, overcoming a 10-point deficit in the final minutes. This match is pivotal for both teams, with South Africa leading the tournament and New Zealand needing a win to remain competitive.
More on these topics
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New Zealand is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It comprises two main landmasses—the North Island and the South Island —and around 600 smaller islands, covering a total area of 268,021 square kilometres.
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South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa, is the southernmost country in Africa. With over 59 million people, it is the world's 24th-most populous nation and covers an area of 1,221,037 square kilometres.
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Beauden John Barrett is a New Zealand rugby union player. He plays at First Five-Eighth position and fullback for Taranaki in the Mitre 10 Cup, the Blues in Super Rugby and New Zealand's national team, the All Blacks.
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Siyamthanda Kolisi is a South African professional rugby union player who currently captains the South Africa national team and also plays club rugby for the Sharks in Super Rugby and Western Province in the Currie Cup. He generally plays as a flanker.
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Johan 'Rassie' Erasmus is a South African rugby union coach and former player. He has been the head coach of the South African national team since 2018, doubling up on his duties as the first ever SARU Director of Rugby, which he was appointed towards the
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