All Blacks
New Zealand will try to keep their title defence bid alive when they face South Africa in the semifinal round of the 2015 Rugby World Cup at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday. Reuters/Nigel Marple

New Zealand will face South Africa in the semifinal round of the 2015 Rugby World Cup at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday (Sunday in Australia) in what could go down as one of the best matchups in this year’s tournament.

The All Blacks, who are looking to win a record 13 th consecutive match at the RWC, will try to defend their title, as well as New Zealand’s bid to become the first team in the history of RWC to win back-to-back championship. All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is aware of what South Africa can do to his side, but the Kiwi coach insisted they will not pay too much about the Springboks preparations for their Rugby World Cup fixture.

New Zealand is coming off a convincing win in the quarterfinal round of the quadrennial rugby tournament after hammering down France to 62-13 win. But despite their strong performance against the Les Bleus in the quarterfinal round of the RWC, Hansen is convinced the All Blacks have yet to show their best rugby in the tournament.

"I don't think we have played our best rugby," Hansen said, reports the BBC . "If we don't turn up with our 'A' game, we're not going to have a chance.”

However, New Zealand does not hold the numbers ahead of their RWC clash against South Africa. The Springboks, along with Australia, are one of the two teams that hold a winning World Cup record against the All Blacks.

South Africa secured their last four slot in the tournament after a tough RWC fixture against Wales in the quarterfinal round. South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer has opted to deploy the same starting XV that defeated Wales 23-19 and insisted that his side must put up their best performance if they want to defeat the defending champions.

“I must say this – and I really mean it, it’s not just talk – but this is probably the best team that’s ever played the game,” Heyneke said of the All Blacks, reports World Rugby . “We as a team knows that this must be our best performance ever if we want to beat them because they are the best team that’s ever played the game.”

The winner of the semifinal match between South Africa and New Zealand will have the chance to face either Argentina or Australia, who will face off on Monday.

Team lineup

South Africa: Willie le Roux; JP Pietersen, Jesse Kriel, Damian De Allende, Bryan Habana; Handre Pollard, Fourie du Preez (captain); Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger, Francois Louw; Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth; Frans Malherbe, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira. Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Jannie du Plessis, Victor Matfield, Willem Alberts, Ruan Pienaar, Pat Lambie, Jan Serfontein.

New Zealand: Joe Moody, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (captain), Kieran Read; Aaron Smith, Dan Carter, Julian Savea, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Ben Smith. Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Victor Vito, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams.

TV schedule

The Rugby World Cup 2015 New Zealand vs South Africa semifinal match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 2 and Fox Sports 2 HD on Foxtel, and Channel Nine’s GEM.

Match date and time

The match kicks off on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 2:00 a.m. AEDT.

Latest odds (Courtesy of Sky Bet )

New Zealand win: 1/4

South Africa win: 15/4

Draw: 28/1

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au , or let us know what you think below.

RELATED STORIES