South Africa have named Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at flyhalf for the first Test against New Zealand, while the All Blacks have left Beauden Barrett out of their matchday squad, according to ESPN.
The Rugby Championship opener is set for Ellis Park in Johannesburg. ESPN reports that Feinberg-Mngomezulu gets the starting nod at No. 10 for the Springboks, a selection that signals a shift in their playmaking options. For New Zealand, the absence of veteran fullback Beauden Barrett is a notable call as they prepare for the clash.
The teams have now revealed their lineups after days of buildup, with Daily Maverick noting that both sides have put forward "powerful" starting XVs for the encounter. The match marks the latest chapter in the long-running rivalry between the two nations, often referred to as the greatest in rugby.
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has also taken a cautious approach with captain Siya Kolisi's return, according to SABC News. Erasmus is managing Kolisi's workload carefully rather than rushing him into full action, though the exact nature of his role was not specified in the reporting.
Ahead of the match, Erasmus said his side holds no fear of the All Blacks, and that the feeling is mutual, per News24. "We're not afraid of NZ, they're not afraid of us," he told reporters, framing the contest as a meeting of equals.
Planet Rugby's prediction piece suggests Dave Rennie's All Blacks could "buck the trend" and win at Ellis Park, a venue where South Africa have historically been strong. The prediction adds an edge to what is already a high-stakes opener.
With both teams now named, attention turns to Saturday's kickoff. The key question is whether Feinberg-Mngomezulu can handle the pressure of facing New Zealand in Johannesburg, and how the All Blacks cope without Barrett's experience.
