The four‑match series stands evenly at one win each, and the rivalry that has long been billed as Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry is now reaching a new level of intensity as South Africa’s coach Rassie Erasmus and New Zealand’s boss Dave Rennie trade increasingly sharp remarks. Imagine the sequence of events so far: the touring All Blacks opened the tour with a convincing 33‑16 victory at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

The Springboks answered back in Cape Town, edging out New Zealand 33‑26 in a thrilling encounter that kept the series level. For that Cape Town match the Springboks originally named a front‑row trio of Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw.

However, barely an hour before kickoff the line‑up was altered, with Gerhard Steenekamp, Deon Fourie and Thomas du Toit taking the starting positions while the first three were relegated to the bench. Erasmus explained the last‑minute switch as a reaction to the forecasted weather – a potential downpour that never materialised. “We were expecting a wet surface, so we chose a front‑row that could cope with that,” Erasmus said after the game. “The weather predictions for the week all pointed to rain, and that informed our selection.” Rennie, for his part, declined to criticize the South African decision.

“We stuck with the team we named and it doesn’t bother me at all,” he remarked. “They announced their side on Monday; that had no bearing on our choices.

No drama from my perspective.” Under World Rugby rules, any alteration to a squad within 48 hours of kick‑off normally requires a medical exemption. Because the two‑nation clash is managed independently of the official international calendar, Erasmus has been able to reshuffle his pack without seeking formal permission. In total, Erasmus introduced five changes to the squad he announced on Monday for the second Test, including a complete overhaul of the front row.

During the week, fly‑half Handre Pollard went from fit to injured and was withdrawn, while winger Cheslin Kolbe recovered from an injury and earned a place on the wing. Erasmus hinted that he will keep his options open for the third Test in Johannesburg, depending on the conditions. “If the pitch is dry we’ll stick with this line‑up, but if rain returns we may tweak a couple of positions,” he said. While there have been no overt disputes over late changes, a new flashpoint has emerged around the set‑piece.

Rennie accused the Springboks of “walking around” in the scrum – a claim that suggests they are angling their bind sideways rather than staying square, thereby gaining an unfair advantage by slipping past the All Blacks’ front row. The New Zealand coach was so perturbed that he pledged to raise the issue with World Rugby. “The scrums were better tonight.

Referee Angus Gardner was firm in setting a mark and keeping the hookers in the same space. The Springboks kept drifting to the left and he stopped them,” Rennie explained. “We’ll feed this back because it’s still a problem for us when they move across and then drive straight through our tighthead.” Erasmus fired back, dismissing Rennie’s accusation as nonsense. “We have been playing with this pack together for a long time.

This is the first time anyone has suggested we ‘walk around’ in the scrum. Why would we suddenly start doing that? I won’t entertain that rubbish.

If I had a problem with the line‑out or any other aspect, I would speak up, but I’m not going to moan about it.” He added, “If they want to start complaining about things like that, it simply shows they are feeling the pressure.” The exchange raises the question of whether the two coaches are engaging in genuine tactical debate, mind‑games, or simply reacting to the heightened stakes of a tied series. Whatever the motivation, the banter has set the tone for a third Test that promises to be even more heated, dramatic, and a vivid reminder of why this encounter is billed as Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry. Fans can catch every moment of New Zealand’s South African tour live on Sky Sports, with kick‑off times listed for the UK and Ireland. The broadcast offers a contract‑free streaming option via NOW, ensuring that supporters worldwide can follow the unfolding saga of this historic rivalry.