Springboks and All Blacks clash in Johannesburg amid scrum row

South Africa and New Zealand meet in Johannesburg on Saturday with the series level at 1-1 and the winner guaranteed a 2-1 lead heading into the final Test.

The third match of the series comes after several days of public disagreement over scrummaging, which began when All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie criticised South Africa’s tactics following New Zealand’s 33-26 defeat in the second Test in Cape Town last weekend.

Rennie questioned whether the Springboks had been operating within the laws of the set-piece.

“I think (referee) Angus (Gardner) was pretty strong around setting a mark and then trying to keep the hookers in the same sort of spacing,” he said.

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus rejected the suggestion, pointing instead to New Zealand’s early difficulties at scrum time.

“The first six scrums New Zealand had — every one collapsed. It was reset, reset, reset, reset.”

The dispute continued during the week, with former Springboks prop and current South Africa scrum coach Daan Human defending his methods.

“We always try to do it (scrumming) 100 percent by the book. I am a farmer. I am a normal, straight guy. I never coach that (cheating),” he said.

However, Rennie appeared to draw a line under the argument when asked about the legality of South Africa’s scrummaging after the All Blacks team was announced.

“Do I bother giving this any more air?”

Rennie added that both teams had submitted concerns through official channels, leaving the match officials to assess what happens on the field.

“We shared stuff with the officials. The Springboks have done the same. It is now up to the referee and his support staff to react to what he sees.”

Georgian referee Nika Amashukeli will take charge at the 92,000-capacity Soccer City on the outskirts of Johannesburg. He replaced Angus Gardner for the Cape Town Test after becoming ill.

New Zealand have enjoyed success at the venue, winning both of their previous Tests there. The All Blacks defeated South Africa 29-22 in 2010 and 32-16 two seasons later.

With tension building before the third meeting in 15 days between the world’s top-ranked Springboks and second-ranked All Blacks, former players from both nations have also become involved in the debate.

John Kirwan, whose try helped New Zealand defeat France in the inaugural Rugby World Cup final 39 years ago, criticised South Africa’s reliance on set pieces and box kicks.

“Sometimes the way (South Africa) play frustrates me. During a 15-minute stretch, they did almost nothing but launch box kicks.”

Victor Matfield, a member of South Africa’s 2007 World Cup-winning side, offered a different view.

“In South Africa, we love a big scrum, going over guys. I mean, box kicks, winning it back, just hear the cheers.”

South Africa will again rely on Cheslin Kolbe at full-back after he moved from the right wing to cover for the injured Damian Willemse. Kolbe was not expected to be the team’s leading goal-kicker before the series, but the double World Cup winner has converted all 11 of his attempts for a total of 29 points.

New Zealand have scored 242 points from 38 tries and 26 conversions during their six tour matches, comprising two Tests and four games against franchises. They have not scored a point from a penalty.

The series, promoted as the “Greatest Rivalry”, will conclude in Baltimore on 12 September. South African officials have said financial considerations justify staging the final match in the United States.

Springboks

15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.

Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Morne van den Berg, 23 Manie Libbok.

All Blacks

15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Peter Lakai, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Tupou Vaa’i, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 George Bower.

Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Fabian Holland, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Josh Moorby.