Overview
- The All Blacks beat the Vodacom Bulls 50-19 on Saturday 15 August to complete three provincial wins on tour and enter the four-Test series with South Africa unbeaten.
- Coach Dave Rennie warned the team must 'up the ante' for Test intensity and said he will make wholesale changes to his side while managing workloads.
- Richie Mo'unga has been recalled to the touring squad but will not start the first Test, with Cam Roigard and Will Jordan expected to be available and Damian McKenzie assessed for fitness.
- The Springboks are reintegrating experienced players after recent returns from injury, carry a long unbeaten run, and are monitoring captain Siya Kolisi for a hamstring concern ahead of team announcements.
- Opponents and coaches have flagged specific tactical risks from the Loftus game—risky exits from deep, set-piece strength and breakdown contests—that both sides are working to fix before the series that runs from 22 August to 12 September, finishing in Baltimore.