South Africa vs New Zealand: TV channel, where to watch, kick-off time & team news for third Test
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Test three.
South Africa and New Zealand renew their rivalry on Saturday as the Springboks and All Blacks meet in the third Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
The four-Test series is perfectly poised at 1-1 following two contrasting encounters in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
New Zealand struck first with an impressive 33-16 victory at Ellis Park before the Springboks responded with a thrilling 33-26 win in Cape Town last weekend.
Attention now turns to FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, where both sides know victory would guarantee they cannot lose the series ahead of next weekend’s finale in Baltimore.
Here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s huge third Test.
When is South Africa vs New Zealand?
South Africa face New Zealand on Saturday, September 5 at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
The match kicks off at 5.10pm local time, which is 4.10pm in Ireland and the UK.
For supporters in New Zealand, the match kicks off at 3.10am NZST on Sunday morning.
What TV channel is South Africa vs New Zealand on?
The third Test will be shown live on Sky Sports in Ireland and the UK, with coverage beginning on Sky Sports Action at 3.55pm.
In South Africa, the match will be shown live on SuperSport, while supporters in New Zealand can watch through Sky Sport.
Australian viewers can watch the game on Stan Sport, while RugbyPass TV will carry the Test in the United States.
South Africa vs New Zealand kick-off times
Ireland & UK: 4.10pm
South Africa: 5.10pm
New Zealand: 3.10am Sunday
Australia (AEST): 1.10am Sunday
United States (ET): 11.10am
South Africa team
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: Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Andre Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Morne van den Berg, Manie Libbok.
New Zealand team
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: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Fabian Holland, Wallace Sititi, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown, Josh Moorby.
What is at stake?
The series could hardly be better poised heading into the third Test.
New Zealand drew first blood with their 33-16 victory at Ellis Park before Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks hit back with a 33-26 win in Cape Town to level the series at 1-1.
Victory at FNB Stadium would put either side 2-1 ahead and guarantee they cannot lose the four-Test series before the teams head to Baltimore for the final Test on September 12.
For the losing side, meanwhile, victory in the United States would become essential to salvage a drawn series.
With two Tests remaining and honours even, Saturday’s showdown in Soweto could prove decisive.
