
(Getty Images)
South Africa and New Zealand conclude their on-pitch preparations for the Rugby World Cup with an eagerly-anticipated meeting at Twickenham this evening.
The two southern hemisphere sides have decamped to Europe ahead of the tournament’s start in France in a fortnight.
Despite the proximity to the World Cup’s opening weekend, both Jacques Nienaber and Ian Foster have named strong sides with both the Springboks and All Blacks hoping to build momentum into the pool stages.
A potentially sell-out crowd is expected at the home of English rugby as two contenders, who have generally been in good form during the warm-up campaign, meet in London.
Follow the action from Twickenham with our blog below and you can find the latest rugby tips and betting offers here:
South Africa vs New Zealand – live updates from Twickenham
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RED CARD! A second yellow for Scott Barrett and he’s sent off! South Africa 14-0 New Zealand, 39 minutes
Bad to worse for New Zealand! It’s a tucked shoulder, by the looks of things, from their second row, dropping into Marx lying at the side of a ruck.
It definitely meets the yellow card threshold – Matthew Carley puts it officially on review as he produces the yellow with the foul play review official to consider whether it merits more. It matters not, of course – Barrett was binned earlier so a secnd yellow means he’s off for good!
Harry Latham-Coyle25 August 2023 20:25
TMO check! South Africa 14-0 New Zealand, 39 minutes
Now then. This could be interesting. Marx is clutching at his neck and this doesn’t look particularly pleasant from Scott Barrett…
Harry Latham-Coyle25 August 2023 20:22
South Africa 14-0 New Zealand, 39 minutes
New Zealand have barely fired an attacking shot in this half, with South Africa’s defensive blitz managing to smother in. The All Blacks do have advanced possession now, though, with their array of playmakers taking turns to step in and try to illustrate things.
Richie Mo’unga attacks the line and South Africa are pinged. Malcolm Marx and Ethan de Groot receive treatment as New Zealand consider their options.
Harry Latham-Coyle25 August 2023 20:22
TRY! SOUTH AFRICA 14-0 New Zealand (Kurt-Lee Arendse try, 34 minutes)
Plucked, purloined and planted beneath the posts!
It’s ambitious from Jordie Barrett, holding his feet in the tackle but flinging a rather optimistic offload. It hangs in the air and Kurt-Lee Arendse is there in an instant to snatch it, evading the chasers and scurrying beneath the posts.
Manie Libbok adds two more from the tee.
Harry Latham-Coyle25 August 2023 20:17
South Africa 7-0 New Zealand, 31 minutes
Driven into touch! South Africa pilfer the lineout and spread it, Andre Esterhuizen and Canan Moodie linking superbly with the inside centre’s short toss putting his 13 into a bit of room. Makazole Mapimpi is a danger on the far left but again runs aground with black shirts covering across in a timely manner.
Harry Latham-Coyle25 August 2023 20:15
South Africa 7-0 New Zealand, 30 minutes
South Africa again work the angles, Faf de Klerk spotting space over his shoulder and boxing cleverly. His kick jumps out of play 15 metres from the New Zealand line.
Harry Latham-Coyle25 August 2023 20:13
South Africa 7-0 New Zealand, 29 minutes
More prop problems for New Zealand: Ethan de Groot requires some strapping, the looshead down in a bit of pain after those exertions in the loose. Having already lost Tyrel Lomax on the opposite side, that is a concern for the All Blacks, though De Groot looks to be moving just about ok, albeit with a grimace, as he joins his mates in the lineout.
Harry Latham-Coyle25 August 2023 20:12
South Africa 7-0 New Zealand, 29 minutes
The rain has stopped, pleasingly, and both sides show ambition in their handling, Dane Coles lurking out wide, his front row comrades Ethan de Groot and Fletcher Newell also involved.
After a Beauden Barrett chip ends up with South Africa, Eben Etzebeth shows impressive dexterity to bring down and then keep up a floated pass from Faf de Klerk.
New Zealand begin to get those back and forward exchanges working, Ardie Savea beating a tackler and hunting for an offload. Canan Moodie reads it, though, gathering and flicking deftly to Damian Willemse, who thuds a grubber on an angle towards the All Blacks 22. Willemse fancies he was inside his own half when he unfurled that skudder, but he’d just strayed beyond halfway – no 50:22 but South Africa can lay their defensives deep in New Zealand territory again.
Harry Latham-Coyle25 August 2023 20:11
South Africa 7-0 New Zealand, 28 minutes
It isn’t quite clicking for the All Blacks, though. South African hands get to Dane Coles’s throw and the Springboks clear their lines.
Harry Latham-Coyle25 August 2023 20:08
South Africa 7-0 New Zealand, 27 minutes
New Zealand are restored to full complement with Sam Cane’s time in the sin bin at an end, and their eight immediately get some joy with a lineout drive. The busy Matthew Carley whistles their way and Jordie Barrett punts up towards the South African 22.
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Harry Latham-Coyle25 August 2023 20:07