Who will light up Ellis Park in first Test? Eight players to watch in Boks v All Blacks clash

It’s set up to be a cracker … the two best teams in the world going at each other for 80 minutes, on four occasions. Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series promises plenty of thrills and action and it all gets underway on Saturday with the first Test at Ellis Park (5.10pm).

A number of quality players will be in action. Here we highlight four players from each team who have the potential to light up Ellis Park.

Springboks

Cheslin Kolbe

The little winger remains one of the Boks’ key players, a real pocket-rocket out wide. He hit the 50-cap mark in his last Test so he knows a thing or two about Test rugby, and winning, and with 22 tries he’s one of the more prolific try-scorers in the game. He’ll look to add to that number this weekend. But Kolbe is so much more than just a try-scorer; he kicks at goal, fills in at scrumhalf, tackles men twice his size. What can’t he do?

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

The 20-cap flyhalf has won the race for the No 10 jersey this weekend and he’s sure to be out to make a big impact on Saturday. Just 24, he’s already won big Tests for the Boks before, but this weekend’s game is a biggie. If he’s on song, Bok fans can prepare themselves for a treat; if not, things could go horribly wrong. He’s that type of player, but he remains someone to be taken very seriously in the No 10 jersey.

Malcolm Marx

A veteran of 89 Test matches, Marx is now the key man in the tight-five and a player who gets those around him fired up. If he’s on top of his game, expect him to be a menace at the breakdowns and a powerhouse in the pack, and especially in the driving mauls. He’s one of the very best hookers in the game and his one-on-one with opposite number Codie Taylor promises to be a thrilling, and possibly match-defining, battle.

Andre Esterhuizen

Is he a flank, or a lock, or a No 8? Heck, isn’t he a centre? Just where will Rassie Erasmus use the big and bulky Esterhuizen this weekend … in the forwards or in the backline, or both? The All Blacks won’t quite know how to prepare for his entry in the match from the bench, which is a big plus for the Boks. Esterhuizen’s sure to make an impact wherever he slots in, but he needs to maintain his discipline.

All Blacks

Damian McKenzie

The fleet-footed fullback has passed a fitness test to play in the first Test, which is a big boost for the tourists. With 77 Tests behind him, McKenzie is an experienced operator and will know what’s coming. He’s sound defensively and got a good boot on him, but it’s with ball in hand that coach Dave Rennie will want to see him weave some magic. Expect him to pop up as first receiver when the All Blacks build up some phases.

Ruben Love

With only eight Tests behind him, Love is a complete unknown to the Boks, probably one of the reasons he was picked ahead of veteran Beauden Barrett. But he’s earned his stripes and will bring something fresh and exciting to the All Blacks. At 25 he’s still young, but has had to fight his way to the top, first at the Hurricanes and then at the All Blacks. The Bok forwards will certainly be looking to test him in defence.

Codie Taylor

Besides captain Ardie Savea, who fulfils a huge role at the back of the scrum and as team leader, Taylor is the heartbeat of the pack and the man the tight-five look to for guidance and energy. And what a player he is … sound with his lineout throws, strong in the scrum and powerful in the loose as a ball-carrier. Taylor’s a man the Boks will want to keep in check; if he gets his motor running, watch out.

Leroy Carter

There are always those one or two players you have to feel for who miss out on the matchday-23 and the starting XV. And Carter is one of them, but how do you pick him ahead of try machine Will Jordan and Josh Moorby, who’s been sensational in recent times? Anyway, Carter, a former Sevens star, will bring energy and pace to the game when he enters the action from the bench. The Boks will have to keep a close eye on him.