'It's a big one and everyone wants to play': Rassie's Boks primed for ABs in CT

CAPE TOWN - The Springboks and the All Blacks named their teams for Saturday’s heavily-anticipated Rugby Championship match at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday. 

Bok coach, Rassie Erasmus, made seven changes to his side that sees Grant Williams starting at scrumhalf while Jaden Hendrikse starts on the replacements bench. 

Erasmus explained his reasons for Williams starting in the #9 jumper.

"We think Grant deserves a start. Every time he comes up, he definitely brings speed to the game but so does Kobus. The temptation was there to start Jaden and to have that blitz speed after the guys are a little tired. After thinking about it, let's see how deep into the game he can deliver that before bringing Jaden on."

Erasmus opted for a 5-3 split on the replacement bench as he looks to stifle New Zealand’s attack.

"We feel it's a game where we'll definitely have to match their speed with which they played last week and we think having three backs on the bench will help with that a lot."

The Springbok coach elaborated on his team selection ahead of Saturday's clash in Cape Town.

"There's games where you want to grow our team and there's games where you desperately want to win and I think trying to win this game would mean a lot in the Rugby Championship for the last two rounds. Not to say you want your best players on the field, you want your best players in the group possibly. I think a guy like Salmaan Moerat is unlucky not to be in this team."

Erasmus also spoke of the luxury of having a player with Pieter-Steph du Toit’s versatility in the squad.

"The two loose forwards on the bench covers lock for us, so we can probably put on the two loose forwards somewhere. That will probably almost give you a 6-2 split, momentum if I say so - Pieter-Steph is just a guy who can play 80 [minutes] and 80 and 80 and we'll probably have to give him a rest somewhere and then, obviously, Kurtley is out."

Erasmus shed some light on the extent of Siya Kolisi’s injury after the Bok captain was a doubt to make the matchday 23.

"Siya has two options: the one is it has to be reset, it's a nose fracture but he can either get it placed back now then he's out for three weeks or the doc says he can wait two weeks and then put it back in place. Obviously, the massive thing about this game is, not just for the Rugby Championship, but for us playing the All Blacks here at the Cape Stadium, it's a big one and everyone wants to play."

All Blacks coach, Scott Robertson, made four changes to the side that lost out to the Springboks by four points at Ellis Park last weekend. The New Zealand coach spoke about his team selection that sees Will Jordan starting at fullback.

"The opportunity to play Will at fullback and give Sevu, who's a world-class wing, with Mark Tele'a goes very well, so we're fortunate we've got some quality players and this weekend it's a mix for us."

The All Blacks coach also reflected on the reception from the local fans in Cape Town.

"They love a selfie and an autograph and they know the players just as well as they do at home. They're amazing and there's a lot of passion from the supporters here in South Africa and we look forward to playing in front of them."

He also shared his thoughts on having experienced stars in the form of TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett starting on the replacements bench.

"They're great team men and have both been for a long period of time, they know the All Black jersey and are so important to all of us and if they need to come on and finish the job, they will, you've got to be very respectful in those conversations and talk through the reasons why and they understood. As you said, they want to start, they want to be out there for the majority of the match but it's just how we finish the match that's the key."

The New Zealand coach is confident his men can get the job done in Cape Town but insists they need to finish matches better.