When Rassie Erasmus will reveal his Springbok team for opening All Blacks clash

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus will name his matchday squad at a media conference at Southern Sun Hyde Park from 14:00 on Thursday, 20 August, two days before the Springboks face the All Blacks at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday, 22 August.

The Thursday announcement is later than has typically been the case under Erasmus, who has generally revealed his Springbok teams on a Monday or Tuesday during Test weeks. This time, however, the coach has opted to keep his selection under wraps until just two days before kick-off.

The announcement will follow a busy week of preparations for the Springboks, with Erasmus and a selected player already scheduled to face the media on Monday.

Assistant coach Felix Jones and three players will then address the media on Tuesday, before the squad's first open training session at Wits on Wednesday.

Following Thursday's team announcement, the Springboks will complete their preparations on Friday with the official team photograph at 10:00 and their captain's run at Ellis Park from 11:00.

The Springbok captain will then address the media at 13:30 on Friday, before the squad turns its attention fully to Saturday's blockbuster clash.

The Ellis Park Test is the first of four matches that will decide Rugby's Greatest Rivalry, with the Springboks and All Blacks set to renew one of international rugby's most celebrated battles.

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