De Klerk Travels to New Zealand with Springboks, Bongi Stays Home

Springbok’s seasoned scrumhalf Faf de Klerk is set to join Rassie Erasmus’ squad in New Zealand for the upcoming phase of their Rugby Championship against the All Blacks. This pivotal role will be crucial as the team prepares for matches in Auckland and Wellington.

With De Klerk added to the roster, the squad gearing up for the first Test in Auckland now includes 36 players, following Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi’s absence due to family obligations in South Africa.

The Springboks will take on their traditional rivals, the All Blacks, at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday, September 6, followed by a fixture in Wellington at Sky Stadium on Saturday, September 13.

New Zealand has kept an unbeaten streak at the famed Eden Park since 1994, with the last Springbok win there recorded on September 25, 1937.

Nevertheless, the Springboks arrive at this contest with an impressive record, having triumphed in their last four encounters against their fierce adversaries, including a remarkable 35-7 victory just before the Rugby World Cup 2023 in London.

The Springboks secured their World Cup triumph in the final against the All Blacks at Stade de France in Paris, clinching the title by a narrow margin of one point and achieving their historic fourth championship.