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It’s Friday, and Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry will hasmoved from launch campaigns and tour talk to something tangible. Under the lights at DHL Stadium, New Zealand’s first full-scale, old-style tour of South Africa since 1996 begins not against the Springboks, but against a Stormers side with enough youth and local knowledge to make the opening night uncomfortable. It is the first of eight matches in six weeks for the tourists. Cape Town has a deep vein of All Blacks support, but the Stormers faithful will still make this a hostile place whenever the visitors are under pressure.
It’s Friday, and Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry will hasmoved from launch campaigns and tour talk to something tangible. Under the lights at DHL Stadium, New Zealand’s first full-scale, old-style tour of South Africa since 1996 begins not against the Springboks, but against a Stormers side with enough youth and local knowledge to make the opening night uncomfortable. It is the first of eight matches in six weeks for the tourists. Cape Town has a deep vein of All Blacks support, but the Stormers faithful will still make this a hostile place whenever the visitors are under pressure.
For the Stormers, the fascination sits at half-back. Imad Khan starts at scrum-half alongside Yaqeen Ahmed, the 20-year-old fly-half stepping straight out of a Junior Springbok world-title campaign and into the sharpest examination of his young career. Their instinct will be to play, but their judgement will matter more. New Zealand will test their kicking, crowd their space and look to turn any loose possession into points.
There is experience around them. Bok-capped André-Hugo Venter, Neethling Fouché, Deon Fourie, Evan Roos and Warrick Gelant all start, while Ntuthuko Mchunu waits on the bench. Captain Ruhan Nel provides stability in midfield, and the loose trio of Fourie, Hacjivah Dayimani and Roos gives the Stormers three different threats: breakdown nous, pace and direct carrying. Gelant, Leolin Zas and Seabelo Senatla will want broken-field opportunities, although those chances will depend on the pack earning clean ball.
The contrast at fly-half could hardly be sharper. Beauden Barrett, a 144-Test All Black, makes his first appearance under Dave Rennie after sitting out New Zealand’s three July internationals. With Cortez Ratima inside him and Anton Lienert-Brown and Billy Proctor outside, Barrett’s job is less about producing something spectacular than controlling territory and choosing when to release Rieko Ioane, Leroy Carter and Josh Moorby.
New Zealand have already had to alter their loose forwards. Wallace Sititi has withdrawn, Anton Segner comes in at openside and Peter Lakai shifts to number eight alongside Simon Parker. Patrick Tuipulotu captains from lock, partnered by Fabian Holland.
The visitors’ bench may eventually tell. Asafo Aumua, Sam Darry, Ethan Blackadder and Caleb Clarke offer proven power, while Siale Lauaki and Josh Jacomb could make their first appearances in the black jersey. The Stormers can answer with Mchunu, Ruan Ackermann, Keke Morabe and Wandisile Simelane, but they must establish their scrum, slow New Zealand’s ball and let Khan and Ahmed dictate the early rhythm. If they can carry the contest beyond the hour, the crowd and occasion may tighten New Zealand. If the All Blacks are still playing at their preferred pace, however, their replacement strength should prise the game open late.
