Battle of Helm's Deep (September 6, 2025)

Springboks have never won a Test match at Eden Park in Auckland.

Since 1921, South Africa has played at Eden Park on just nine occasions, resulting in zero wins, two draws, and seven losses to the All Blacks. Wikipedia+8Wikipedia+8Planet Rugby+8

Their last draw occurred in 1994 (18–18), and since 1994 no Springbok side has managed more than parity. WikipediaWikipedia

In modern times, Eden Park has become a fortress: the All Blacks remain unbeaten in 50 consecutive Tests at Eden Park—comprising 48 wins and 2 draws—since 1994. Planet Rugby+12Wikipedia+12IOL+12

This record is being put to the test on September 6, 2025, when the Springboks return for a Rugby Championship clash.

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If the Boks could win the first test, that would be very symbolic. It has been the haven of the Orc Blacks to retreat to when all else fails.

Shark just trust my prediction, I have the Boks winning by 1 point! Ons gan die Kak uit hulle scrum! Go Bokke!

Didn’t we already break a record by beating the AB at the Sky Stadium, Wellington? Nick Name The

" Tin Cup". So we will do it again at Eden park !

@Mpower.

The World Cup warm-up game played in London between the Boks and All Blacks was the highest scoreline ever conceded. The Boks, with Marx, Vermuelen and Eskom (I think) took complete control of the breakdown and dominated first phase, so it was an easy victory for the Boks.

Beating the All Blacks at Eden Park would be a significant achievement.

The Springboks' win at Sky Stadium, also known as the Cake Tin, was significant because it was their first victory there in a very long time. They had previously won in 2009, but hadn't secured a win at the venue since then. The recent victory in Wellington was part of a winning streak against the All Blacks, and it also helped them reclaim the Freedom Cup.

The Springboks have won at Eden Park, but not very often. They have only won one Test match against the All Blacks at Eden Park since 1921. This victory occurred in 1937.

I stand corrected, this source says 1937

The Springboks have won a Test match at Eden Park, Auckland — once — way back in 1937. On 25 September 1937, South Africa defeated the All Blacks 17–6 at Eden Park during their historic tour, marking their sole victory at that venue in Test rugby en.wikipedia.orgafrica.espn.com

Duh!!!

1937 is a candidate for the greatest Bok team ever.

Rassie's likely team

1. Ox Nche/ Boan Venter
2. Malcolm Marx/ Jan-Hendrik Wessels
3. Wilco Louw/ Thomas DuToit
4. Etzebeth / RG Snyman
5. Lood / Mosterd
6. Marco van Staden
7. Pieter Steph du Toit
8. Kolisi / Kwagga
9. Grant Williams / Cobus Reinach
10. Handré Pollard/ Sasha
11. Fassi
12. Delande
13. Jessie Kriel
14. Kolbe
15. Willie Leroux

I am not sold on Boan Venter. I need to see more of him, but his work rate has not been great outside the scrum from the little time I have seen of him.

I want to see Jan Henrik Wessels get more game time. He looks like an all-rounder and Bok material. He is an abrasive style of player who can dominate the collisions with some good skills.

I think Thomas would be a good bench player as he is mobile when the game opens up.

Fassi could be better as a wing without the defensive responsibilities.

Kolisi is better at 8 than 6.

Esterhuizen might make the bench to make it easier to have a 6-2 split, but still have backline cover in case Delande plays like he did against Australia.

Sasha should be preferred over Libbok, as he offers more utility value.

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The Springbok squad named for the matches against the All Blacks in 2025 consists of a 36-man group, including 20 forwards and 16 backs. The squad selection is as follows:

Forwards:

Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Thomas du Toit, Jean-Luc du Preez, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Ruan Nortje, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Marnus van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Boan Venter, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Jasper Wiese (Jasper Wiese will only be available for the second Test in Wellington due to suspension).

Backs:

Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Morne van den Berg, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse.

The Springboks will face the All Blacks at Eden Park on September 6 and at Sky Stadium in Wellington on September 13, 2025

The last Bok team to beat the ABs at Helms Deep:

Louis Babrow was a doctor in later life, checked me out for a concussion once.

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"1937 is a candidate for the greatest Bok team ever."

Indeed. That team beat the Allblacks 6 in a row!

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