All Blacks host Springboks at Eden Park in Rugby Championship clash

The All Blacks and world champion Springboks meet at Eden Park on Saturday in a high-stakes Rugby Championship Test that will shape both sides pathways in the tournament and put New Zealand's 50‑match unbeaten record at the venue under intense pressure. South Africa arrived in Auckland on Wednesday after a long trip via Sydney and will spend a short recovery period before two full training sessions ahead of the clash, while New Zealand prepare to respond from a demoralising 29‑23 loss in Buenos Aires a week ago.

Rassie Erasmus said his squad travelled well, were "in good spirits" and had planned a light training week to recover from two physical encounters with Australia, adding that acclimatising early was important to be sharp for Eden Park. The Springboks also added experienced scrumhalf Faf de Klerk to their touring party as further cover; veteran hooker Bongi Mbonambi stayed home for family reasons. Erasmus has retained a broadly settled group but faces questions around defensive consistency after a 38‑22 opening defeat to the Wallabies and an improved but imperfect 30‑22 win in Cape Town.

The Boks have adjusted their approach since round one, shifting from expansive intent...