The Springboks headline a thrilling weekend of Test rugby as they head to Mbombela to face Georgia, while the All Blacks and France clash in Hamilton, and the Lions kick off their first Test of the series against Australia. Here’s your weekend preview:
Springboks vs Georgia – Mbombela Showdown
The Springboks head to Mbombela for a bruising clash against Georgia, with Rassie Erasmus ringing the changes following their 45-0 demolition of Italy. Siya Kolisi returns to lead a Bok side featuring three debutants in Boan Venter, Neethling Fouché and Marnus van der Merwe, while Grant Williams continues to bring tempo at scrumhalf. Georgia, known for their ferocious scrummaging, will look to test the Boks’ depth and power up front in what promises to be a forward-dominated battle.
Rassie’s Boks live rent-free in New Zealand
Springboks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Cobus Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Neethling Fouché*, 2 Marnus van der Merwe*, 1 Boan Venter*.
Bench: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Damian Willemse.
All Blacks vs France
With the series already secured, the All Blacks have made significant changes for the third Test in Hamilton. Will Jordan starts on the right wing with Sevu Reece switching to the left, while Jordie Barrett drops to the bench. Damian McKenzie commands the No. 10 jersey, and Ardie Savea captains a side looking to complete a clean sweep. France have responded with nine changes, recalling experienced campaigners like Gaël Fickou and Rabah Slimani to salvage pride in the final encounter.
All Blacks:15 Ruben Love, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Luke Jacobson, 7 Ardie Savea (c), 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (vc), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Bench: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Dalton Papali’i, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Noah Hotham, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Jordie Barrett.
France: 15 Léo Barré, 14 Théo Attissogbé, 13 Nicolas Dépportère, 12 Gaël Fickou (c), 11 Gabin Villiere, 10 Antoine Hastoy, 9 Nolann Le Garrec, 8 Mickaël Guillard, 7 Joshua Brennan, 6 Alexandre Fischer, 5 Matthias Halagahu, 4 Hugo Aurdou, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Pierre Bourgarit, 1 Baptiste Erdocio.
Bench: 16 Gaëtan Barlot, 17 Paul Mallez, 18 Demba Bamba, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Killian Tixeront, 21 Pierre Bochaton, 22 Thibault Daubagna, 23 Emilien Gailleton.
Australia vs British & Irish Lions
The Lions’ long-awaited Test series kicks off in Brisbane, with Andy Farrell’s side coming off an unbeaten run on tour. Finn Russell starts at flyhalf with Owen Farrell named on the bench, while Maro Itoje leads the side from lock. The Wallabies, guided by Joe Schmidt, will look to disrupt the Lions’ set-piece dominance and test their defensive organisation, with captain Harry Wilson tasked with inspiring a young Australian team.
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph Sua’ali’i, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Nick Champion de Crespigny*, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 James Slipper.
Bench: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Tom Robertson, 19 Tom Hooper, 20 Carlo Tizzano, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Andrew Kellaway.
Lions: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 James Lowe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 5 Joe McCarthy, 4 Maro Itoje (c), 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Ellis Genge.
Bench: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Owen Farrell.
The Junior Boks are playing in the World Rugby U20 Championship final against New Zealand
Junior Boks stick with 6-2 split for final
Our predictions
