A Springbok team that blends youth with experience takes aim at a rare All Blacks scalp in Wellington, writes MARK KEOHANE.

Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane says Wellington’s Sky Stadium has been a rare “cathedral of hope” for visiting teams.

The venue has been relatively kind to good visiting teams: The 2018 Boks beat the All Blacks 36-34 there in Rassie Erasmus’ first season at the helm and drew 16-16 the following year. The British & Irish Lions, Ireland, Argentina and Australia have also all succeeded in Wellington.

Keohane notes the Springboks were “the stronger for the final hour” in Auckland last week despite conceding two early tries, and that key changes for Saturday’s Test are aimed at imposing their physicality from the start. Lock Lood de Jager starts, No 8 Jasper Wiese returns and RG Snyman strengthens the bench.

He also highlights the new attacking axis: flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, inside centre Damian Willemse, outside Canan Moodie and wing Ethan Hooker. Individually they’ve all made statements against the All Blacks before. Hooker, 21, starts his first Test after starring for the Sharks last season and being named their player of the season.

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Keohane argues that the All Blacks are settled up front but unsettled behind, with their best scrumhalves injured and their midfield and back three in flux. This gives the Springboks an opening if they “start well, play the percentages and build enough scoreboard pressure for the All Blacks to chase the game”.

History still looms large, with only four Springbok wins in 29 Tests in New Zealand since 1994, but Keohane believes Erasmus’ blend of experience and next-generation backs can win in Wellington if the Boks trust their DNA of power, precision and discipline.

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Photo: Johann Meintjes/Gallo Images