New Zealand vs South Africa Prediction: All Blacks to preserve Eden Park record

The two best teams in world rugby will collide this weekend as New Zealand welcome South Africa to their Eden Park fortress. The Springboks are seeking a fifth straight win over the All Blacks, but not one of those successes have come on Kiwi soil. Further, New Zealand have won their last 50 games at Eden Park.

This Rugby Championship blockbuster between New Zealand and South Africa is set to start at 08:05 BST on Saturday in Auckland, with live coverage on Sky Sports Main Event. Below are my best bets for New Zealand vs South Africa as well as the essential team news and match odds.

Team News

Scott Robertson has made two changes from the side that lost to Argentina a fortnight ago. Ardie Savea will hit the Test centurion milestone after being named to start for the hosts in the back row alongside returning Wallace Sititi and Simon Parker.

Sititi replaces Fabian Holland, who drops to the bench. The back line sees just one change with Emoni Narawa taking the number 14 shirt in place of Sevu Reece, with Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane both starting.

Rassie Erasmus has gone with the strongest side he can find, with Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Eben Etzebeth all starting. Willie le Roux, who will earn his 101st cap, is also back in the starting XV in a side showing four changes from the 30-22 win over Australia.

Erasmus has elected for a 5:3 bench split, including Sharks' speedster Ethan Hooker, with just one replacement lock named.

New Zealand vs South Africa Odds

New Zealand are favourites at 4/7 to get the victory yet again at Eden Park, with the visiting Springboks trading at 6/4 to continue recent dominance of this rivalry. The draw is 18/1.

The All Blacks are 4/5 to win the first half and 11/2 to win by 6-10 points inclusive. South Africa's three most recent wins have all been by six points or less and they are 13/2 to win here by 1-5 points inclusive.

New Zealand to win 1-12 points inclusive @ 2/1

A seismic affair between the two best teams in world rugby. New Zealand put their Eden Park record on the line this weekend, which has stood for 31 years. The All Blacks do so still smarting from losing to Argentina 29-23 in Buenos Aires last time out.

Boss Robertson has his share of injury worries. Scrum-halves Cam Roigard, Noah Hotham and Cortez Ratima have been ruled out, so Finlay Christie will start at Eden Park. Christie was one of the New Zealanders that earned a pass-mark in the loss against Pumas.

Argentina dominated in the air and won the gainline battle against a Kiwi attack that failed to fire. New Zealand need to win the set-piece battle and at least match the Springboks in the air. Do that and their attack should perform as expected.

The Springboks will bring the physical challenge but New Zealand have the knowhow to get around it and grind out a hard-fought win in Auckland.

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