All Blacks skipper Scott Barrett has claimed the Springboks have been looking to play at Eden Park “for a while” as they put their record on the line in 2025.
New Zealand announced their home Test schedule on Tuesday, which includes two matches at the famous Auckland ground.
One of those encounters is against South Africa in the Rugby Championship as they seek to continue their unbeaten streak at the stadium.
They have not lost there since 1994, with the run improving to 50 games without losing after their 42-10 victory over Argentina earlier this year.
Some have suggested that the All Blacks have attempted to avoid facing the Boks – historically their biggest rivals – at Eden Park due to the fear of losing that record.
12 years in the making
It is more than a decade since these two great nations faced off at that ground in 2013, but they will finally go head-to-head at Eden Park in 2025.
“They’ll certainly show up,” Barrett told New Zealand Herald. “They’ve probably been wanting to play there for a while. It will be a good occasion, I look forward to it.”
Scott Robertson’s men will face a Springboks outfit that have enjoyed a superb 2024, which included winning the Rugby Championship for the first time since 2019.
Consecutive home victories over Robertson’s side proved crucial in their success, but next year it will be New Zealand who have home advantage.
The All Blacks can go into 2025 reasonably positive, despite their disappointing Rugby Championship, after defeating England and Ireland on their recent northern hemisphere tour.
And Barrett, who was handed the captaincy ahead of the Test campaign, reflected on their challenging season.
“It’s certainly been a big year,” he said. “It’s been a trying year on a personal note with injuries, and stepping into a role that’s pretty demanding at times.
“We didn’t get the results we were after, but it was pleasing to see the group grow as the year wore on … younger players stepping up. We finished on a reasonably strong tour, despite going down to France.”
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Crusaders hopes
While the All Blacks will always be in the back of Barrett’s mind, the lock’s next focus after his break will be helping the Crusaders improve following a disastrous 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.
The second-row has captained the Christchurch outfit since 2020, but he has had his workload eased after relinquishing the role for 2025.
“I had a chat with Rob, [about] potentially dropping the captaincy and giving an opportunity for someone else to take that on into the 2025 season,” he added.
“Those conversations have been had, and whoever steps into that role, I’ll certainly support them. They’ll do a great job.”
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Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/all-blacks-captain-scott-barrett-makes-springboks-eden-park-claim-ahead-of-2025-clash-and-looks-back-on-pretty-demanding-2024
