South Africa and New Zealand will meet across four consecutive weekends in what has been billed as rugby’s greatest rivalry, with the first Test kicking off on Saturday in Johannesburg.

The series comes as Springbok legend Victor Matfield labels the current South African side the “greatest we have ever had”, an opinion that will face its sternest examination against the All Blacks.

Different Johannesburg stadiums will host the first and third matches, with Cape Town staging the second Test and American city Baltimore hosting the final encounter.

Historical dominance

Both teams have dominated recent World Cup history. South Africa claimed the last two tournaments, while New Zealand won the two before that. Between them, they have secured seven of the 10 World Cups played.

South Africa have also won the last two Rugby Championship titles, though New Zealand dominated nine of the 11 earlier editions.

Since their first meeting in Dunedin in 1921, the teams have played 110 Tests. New Zealand hold the edge with 63 wins to South Africa’s 43, with four matches drawn.

Matfield (49), who won the 2007 World Cup and formed a famed second-row partnership with Bakkies Botha, now works as a TV analyst and podcaster.

“The Springboks always find a way to win,” he said, referring to an unimpressive 17-10 victory over Argentina earlier this month. “The Springboks did not play well, they made a lot of mistakes, but they succeeded.”

Team selection decisions

The side facing New Zealand will contain only two starters from that Argentina match – fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and veteran lock Eben Etzebeth.

While Etzebeth was an automatic selection, head coach Rassie Erasmus admitted the playmaker position proved difficult.

“It is always a tough call… Sacha has done wonderful things when he plays for us. He was the fly-half last year when we beat them,” Erasmus said.

Manie Libbok has been named on the bench, while double World Cup winner Handre Pollard misses out this time. Pollard is considered the most conservative of the three fly-halves in field play but remains a prolific goal kicker.

“It is a massive Test series and how we start is very important. There is time to come back, but it is always better to win the first one,” said Erasmus, who admitted to feeling nervous.

World Rugby Player of the Year and flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit will captain the Springboks, with regular skipper Siya Kolisi sidelined as he continues recovering from a hamstring injury.

New coach faces challenge

New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie, who replaced Scott Robertson in March, acknowledged he and his team are on a steep learning curve.

“There have been a lot of guys in good form, massive competition for places, and there were a handful of spots that took a fair bit of discussion. I mean the second row especially,” Rennie said.

Fabian Holland replaces fellow lock Patrick Tuipulotu in the only change to the team that beat Ireland in the Nations Championship final in Auckland last month.

The organisers have marketed the series as the “Greatest Rivalry” and unveiled a unique trophy in midweek. Should the series finish level, the trophy – consisting of two magnetic halves – can be split and shared between the teams.

Teams

Springboks: Damian Willemse; Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Grant Williams; Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit (c), Paul de Villiers; Ruan Nortje, Eben Etzebeth; Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche

Replacements: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Zachary Porthen, Cobus Wiese, Andre Esterhuizen, Marco van Staden, Cobus Reinach, Manie Libbok

Coach: Rassie Erasmus (RSA)

All Blacks: Damian McKenzie; Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Josh Moorby; Ruben Love, Cam Roigard; Ardie Savea (c), Luke Jacobson, Tupou Vaa’i; Fabian Holland, Josh Lord; Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot

Replacements: Asafo Aumua, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Anton Segner, Peter Lakai, Kyle Preston, Anton Lienert-Brown, Leroy Carter

Coach: Dave Rennie (NZL)

Referee: Matthew Carley (England)

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