Boks backed to end Eden Park streak
Yesterday at 01:19 AM
While questioning the rarity of the clash between the old rivals at Eden Park, Andy Goode rated the Springboks' chances of beating the All Blacks at their fortress in New Zealand this year.
The Boks will face the Kiwis in Auckland and Wellington in the 2025 Rugby Championship, and the world champions are set to face the haka at Eden Park – where the All Blacks are unbeaten in 50 Tests – on 6 September.
South Africa haven't won at Eden Park since 1937.
It will be the first of two consecutive Tests between the old rivals in New Zealand in 2025, with the second meeting at Wellington's Sky Stadium on 13 September.
Speaking on The Rugby Pod with former Scotland lock Jim Hamilton and veteran Wales playmaker Dan Biggar, Goode suggested the All Blacks have avoided playing the Boks at Eden Park to preserve their unbeaten streak .
"I have heard that New Zealand don't like or don't want to play South Africa at Eden Park," the ex-England flyhalf said.
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"Have a look over history when the last time the Springboks played there was."
The Boks have played just once in New Zealand since 2019 – a 35-20 defeat at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland, yet Rassie Erasmus' men have four consecutive victories over the All Blacks, including winning the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.
"I think the All Blacks choose who they play, where they play, when they play," Goode added. "It's the first time, I'm telling you now, it's the first time in a long time that the Springboks have got the invite to play at Eden Park.
"They [South Africa] could do it, they could end it. It's got to end at some point, doesn't it?"
Biggar, though, looked to the Boks' record of just 10 wins in New Zealand over 46 Tests since 1921 as an argument for Scott Robertson's charges coming out on top this year.
"They [the Boks] could beat it, but I actually think the All Blacks have played really well against the Springboks in the Rugby Championship [in 2024], and have always done alright against them," he said.
Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Image
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