"Sititi vs Wiese" - 3 Key Battles: All Blacks vs Springboks in Wellington - Rugby Championship Round 4

Last week, the All Blacks kept their Eden Park unbeaten streak alive, following their hard-fought 24-17 win over Rassie Erasamus' men in Auckland. This saw New Zealand extend their Eden Park record to 51-Test matches without a defeat, as the awe-inspiring accolade stretched into it's 31st year of existence. The pre-match discussion was once again dominated by the timing of the team announcements, with Erasmus' uncharacteristically early squad named on Tuesday in a statement of intent.

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson was caught unawares by the early unvailing, so much so that Razor admitted how hadn't realised that the men in green and gold had been confirmed when speaking to the media. Now with the team lists confirmed for both the All Blacks and Springboks, we can dive deeper into the key battles that could dictate the winner of this Freedom Cup collision. From the fresh-faced debutants out to make a statement to the established powerhouses set to lead their sides forward, here are the three key battles to watch when the All Blacks host the Springboks in Wellington.

It’s a clash of firsts in Wellington, with two rising stars stepping into the spotlight for their biggest opportunities yet. For the All Blacks, Leroy Carter makes his long-awaited Test debut, while the Springboks hand Ethan Hooker his first start on the wing.

Carter’s inclusion is a bold call from Scott Robertson, with the Sevens speedster leapfrogging the likes of Caleb Clarke and Leicester Fainga'anuku to claim the No.11 jersey. A proven finisher with over 100 caps on the Sevens circuit, Carter has impressed with the Chiefs and now gets his shot against the world champions. “We are excited to inject Leroy into the backline this week and watch what he creates with his speed and skillset,” Robertson said.

“He has trained hard and put himself into the position where he is ready to perform on Saturday night. It is a special occasion for him and his family.” With his kick-chase tenacity, fearless work rate, and ability to force turnovers, Carter brings an edge that could unsettle South Africa’s reshuffled backline.

Across from him, 22-year-old Ethan Hooker has been thrown into the fire by Rassie Erasmus. Equally comfortable at centre for the Sharks in the URC, Hooker has been shifted to the wing to add fresh spark. “Coming to New Zealand and playing here is obviously a dream come true, and I just want to go out there and make the most of the opportunity,” Hooker said. Despite the nerves, he insists the Bok youngsters are ready to embrace the stage: “We definitely won’t be playing with fear… Our goal is to go out there and play as well as we can.”

The hooker battle in Wellington is a fascinating one: a rising All Blacks talent stepping in for an injured Codie Taylor, faces one of the world’s most decorated front-rowers. Samisoni Taukei’aho is handed the starting jersey in place of the concussed Taylor, while Malcolm Marx lines up for his 82nd Test for the Springboks, determined to atone for recent line-out woes.

Taukei’aho, born in Tonga and developed in the New Zealand system, made an instant impact on his international debut in 2021 by scoring two tries off the bench against Fiji. Since then, the Chiefs hooker has become known for his power, mobility, and work ethic. He brings a dynamic edge to the set-piece and open play, honed throughout a journey to Super Rugby prominence. With Brodie McAlister on the bench, Taukei’aho has a prime opportunity to cement himself in the All Blacks’ pack.

Across the scrum, Marx is a proven world-class operator. Having first been selected for the Springboks in 2016, he was pivotal in South Africa’s 2019 Rugby World Cup triumph. Despite muscling his way over for a try at Eden Park, his performance in Auckland last week was overshadowed by the set-piece misshaps, with four lost line-out throws contributing to a narrow 24–17 defeat. “I also need to take some formal responsibility for it,” Marx admitted. “I have got to get the ball in right, make sure I’m hitting it in the right areas where it has been called.”

Taukei’aho will look to inject pace and aggression around the field, while Marx will rely on his tactical acumen, raw power, and set-piece expertise to keep the Springboks in control. Whoever imposes their style in the tight exchanges could tilt this crucial Rugby Championship encounter.

The number eight battle in Wellington pits youth and dynamism against experience and brute force. Wallace Sititi retains his spot in the All Blacks back row alongside Simon Parker and Ardie Savea, while Jasper Wiese returns from suspension to anchor the Springboks’ pack with his signature physicality.

Sititi, born in Samoa and raised across Scotland and Japan before settling in New Zealand, has quickly emerged as one of the All Blacks’ most promising forwards. He made his international debut in 2024 against Fiji and was immediately recognized for his impact, winning both the World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year and the All Blacks Young Player of the Year awards.

Despite such praise, former All Blacks great Murray Mexted has been critical of Sititi’s role, saying, “Sititi was pretty anonymous in that game [vs South Africa], to be frank,” and advocating for Parker at number eight to increase involvement and ball possession. Sititi’s challenge is to balance youthful energy with the responsibilities of controlling the base of the scrum and linking with the backline.

Across the pitch, Jasper Wiese brings a wealth of experience and a World Cup-winning pedigree. The 29-year-old returns after serving a four-match ban for headbutting Italian prop Danilo Fischetti during the second test against Italy in July. Reflecting on his suspension, Wiese said, “I was frustrated with myself over the past few weeks over something so stupid that I did.

"But now I’m just excited and hungry to go out there and express myself, and hopefully we come away with the win.” Known for his powerful carries, post-contact metres, and defensive presence, Wiese provides the Springboks with a reliable and imposing number eight option.

This clash is classic contrasting styles: Sititi’s pace, skill, and all-around dynamism versus Wiese’s brute strength, experience, and ability to dominate in close quarters. Whoever can assert themselves at the breakdown and in ball-carrying moments will likely influence the momentum of this crucial Rugby Championship showdown.