Is South Africa v New Zealand on TV? Channel, kick-off time and how to watch first Test

South Africa and New Zealand collide in the first of four huge Tests in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.

The All Blacks have won all three of their warm-up games since arriving in South Africa, and now take on a Springboks side that beat them in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.

Rassie Erasmus’ world champions are unbeaten in their last 12 matches and were narrow victors in the pair’s last encounter at Ellis Park.

Another blockbuster encounter could be in store as the landmark series launches in style.

Here’s everything you need to know.

When is South Africa vs New Zealand?

The first Test is due to kick off at 4.10pm BST on Saturday 22 August at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

How can I watch It?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch every game from the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour live on Sky Sports, while South African viewers can tune in via SuperSport.

Team news

Siya Kolisi is left out by the Springboks, with Paul de Villiers preferred on the openside as South Africa take a cautious approach with their captain. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu gets the nod at fly half, while Damian de Allende earns his 100th cap in a familiar midfield pairing with Jesse Kriel.

There are five specialist forwards on the bench, plus Andre Esterhuizen – who will cover both the back row and his usual centre slot, as he did last year.

South Africa XV: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Wilco Louw; 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Ruan Nortje; 6 Paul de Villiers, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (capt.), 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Grant Williams, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu; 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Cheslin Kolbe; 15 Damian Willemse.

Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Marco van Staden; 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok.

Ardie Savea returns to lead New Zealand having been rested from the tour matches. Ruben Love is again trusted at No 10 with no place for either Beauden Barrett or Richie Mo’unga in the 23, and all of Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie and Cam Roigard shake off injury fears to start.

There are five forwards on the bench as flankers Simon Parker and Peter Lakai both earn inclusion with Tupou Vaa’i covering lock from the back row.

New Zealand XV: 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax; 4 Josh Lord, 5 Fabian Holland; 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 7 Luke Jacobson, 8 Ardie Savea (capt.); 9 Cam Roigard, 10 Ruben Love; 11 Josh Moorby, 12 Jordie Barrett, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 14 Will Jordan; 15 Damian McKenzie.

Repacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Simpn Parker, 20 Peter Lakai; 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Leroy Carter.