All Blacks ready to pounce late as Springboks start to fade

Rugby Championship
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After a bright start to the Rassie Erasmus era, South Africa are having to reflect on suffering back-to-back defeats - and three losses in their last four - as they face up to the team who inflicted their heaviest beating.

The Springboks were humbled 57-0 in this fixture a year ago so it's no surprise to see handicaps pushed past the 20-point mark.

It would also be no surprise to see the Boks take a traditional physical approach as they look first and foremost to keep a lid on their dangerous opponents.

South Africa coach Erasmus made some changes for last week's match in Australia but looks to have returned to the core of his team for the June series against England and the opening Rugby Championship fixtures.

Fly-half Handre Pollard gave way to the more expansive Elton Jantjies in Perth last week but preference this week is for Pollard's physical presence, while powerhouse hooker Malcolm Marx is also back in the starting berth.

Winger Makazole Mapimpi, who scored last week to take his tally to four tries in four Tests is injured, robbing the Boks of one of their key attacking weapons.

The All Blacks have also made several changes after trying out a few players against Argentina last week, although Sonny Bill Williams, originally named on the bench, has since pulled out due to injury.

There's still an attacking look to the New Zealand replacements, including livewire scrum-half TJ Perenara, who grabbed two tries against the Pumas last week, and tricky runner Damian Mckenzie.

It could be that the last quarter is the period when the All Blacks do most damage while the Springboks look set to come out swinging and may be feeling the effects by the end.

New Zealand look worth backing to cover a 12-point second-half handicap, while replacement McKenzie is a decent price at 9-5 to get on the scoresheet.

He is sure to be on the pitch by the end when players are tiring and is one of the most dangerous broken-field runners in the game.

Recommendations
New Zealand -12 on second-half handicap
3pts 4-6 Betfair, Paddy Power
D McKenzie to score a try
1pt 9-5 Betfair

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