The All Blacks perform haka in front of the Springboks. Photo / Photosport
The Springboks have named an unchanged 23 for Saturday night's mouthwatering Rugby World Cup opener against the All Blacks in Yokohama.
The Boks, captained by loose forward Siya Kolisi, have named the same side as ran out against Japan in their warm-up clash - the first time they have named
an unchanged team in 51 games, when they played identical teams against Wales and the All Blacks in the 2015 World Cup quarter-final and semifinal respectively.
They take on Steve Hansen's team in what many believe could be a rehearsal for the final on November 2, before also facing Italy, Namibia and Canada in Pool B.
Ever since South Africa were dealt a humiliating 57-0 thrashing in North Harbour in September 2017, the two sides have been almost impossible to separate. The All Blacks claimed a 25-24 victory in Cape Town a month after that thumping before South Africa hit back with a 36-34 triumph in Wellington last September.
A 32-30 All Blacks victory followed a month later, and the last game was the closest of the lot — a 16-all draw in July. 22 of South Africa's players from that clash in July are also playing in Saturday's opener.
