The Stats Don't Lie: Old foes set for 84th clash

The Springboks won the last test match played between the two sides, which was an 18-5 victory in Port Elizabeth last year. Photo / Getty Images

Opinion

The All Blacks and Springboks have met in 83 test matches, with the All Blacks ahead with 46 victories to 34. There have been three draws in the 91 years of test matches played between these two sides.

The Springboks won the last test match played between the two sides, which was an 18-5 victory in Port Elizabeth last year. In that match the All Blacks scored the sole try of the game to Richard Kahui, but it was the boot of Morne Steyn landing five penalties and a drop goal that took the Springboks to victory.

Only Israel Dagg, Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock and Tony Woodcock remain from the All Blacks' starting XV that took the field in Port Elizabeth, while for the Springboks only Bryan Habana, Jean de Villiers and Morne Steyn remain from their starting XV.

Of the eight tests played in Dunedin the All Blacks have won seven, while the Springboks have just one victory which came at Carisbrook in 2008 when they won 30-28.

The Springboks were the last side to beat the All Blacks on New Zealand soil, and that was their 32-29 victory in Hamilton in September of 2009. Since that loss the All Blacks have won their last 22 consecutive home games.

Morne Steyn is just 17 points short of 500 test points for the Springboks. His 109 points to date against New Zealand are the most by any South African, and his four drop goals has him equal with fellow countryman Andre Pretorius for most drop goals in the Rugby Championship.

The midfield partnership of Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith will be playing a record 36th test match together. This game will also bring up Nonu's 70th and Smith's 60th All Black test caps.

Tony Woodcock will be playing his 89th test, which will place him equal with Dan Carter as the 5th most capped All Blacks of all time. Meanwhile Richie McCaw will be playing his 43rd Rugby Championship game which equals the All Blacks' record currently held by Mils Muliaina.

If the All Blacks win this weekend it will be their 14th consecutive victory since losing to the Wallabies in Brisbane last year. Their record for most consecutive wins is 17, set between 1965 and 1970 - not to be confused with their longest unbeaten streak of 23 set between 1987 and 1990, but that included a draw against the Wallabies in July 1988.

So far in this year's Rugby Championship the All Blacks have conceded an average of 10 penalties per game, while their opposition have conceded 12. McCaw is the most penalised All Black with 5 penalties, followed by Andrew Hore, Liam Messam and Ma'a Nonu who have conceded 3 each.

It will be the sixth time George Clancy has refereed the All Blacks, and they have won three and lost two tests when he has had the whistle. Clancy was the referee the last time the two sides met in Port Elizabeth last year.