Roigard finally gets his Springboks start after two years lost to injury

Cam Roigard will start at scrumhalf for the All Blacks against the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday, finally getting his first Test start against South Africa after two years of injury-enforced absences kept him from the fixture.

Roigard’s only previous appearance against the Springboks came as a 22-year-old off the bench in a historic defeat at Twickenham ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup — a game in which he scored a brilliant solo try to spare New Zealand a scoreless defeat. Since then, injuries have twice denied him a place in the matchday squad when the sides have met, including a calf complaint that forced him out of last week’s game against the Sharks and threatened to delay his selection once more.

“It’s a pretty awesome opportunity to finally play them at their home,” Roigard told reporters in Johannesburg. “I missed an opportunity in 2024 because of injury and then didn’t get to play them again last year in New Zealand because of injury again. So I’ve been waiting a few years for this opportunity, and to be able to take it on Saturday, I’m just massively excited.”

The halfback moved quickly to put concerns about his calf to rest. “I’m feeling pretty confident and had a good week so far. It’s been feeling mint, no issues, so as far as I’m aware I’m back 100 per cent.”

The Springboks arrive at the fixture in formidable shape, having scored 147 points across four Tests in 2026 while conceding just 59, including a clean sheet against Wales to close out an unbeaten July. Roigard acknowledged the challenge but pointed to the All Blacks’ ability to generate quick ball through the breakdown as the key to unlocking South Africa’s defence.

“You’re obviously not going to force opportunities, because then it’ll turn into the wrong one,” he said. “But I feel like if we get our physicality right at the breakdown, then we can generate some fast ball and there might be opportunities whether it’s for myself or out wide.”

Roigard will line up directly against Springboks scrumhalf Grant Williams, with Cobus Reinach named on the bench. When asked about similarities between his own game and his counterparts’, Roigard praised their instinctive decision-making and anticipation — qualities he suggested will make the halfback battle a defining subplot of the evening.

“We’re going to be challenged in many ways on Saturday night,” he said. “Whoever can adjust accordingly the quickest — whether it’s playing what’s in front of you or changing the game plan on the run — I feel like that’ll decide who will come out on top.”

New All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has made pace and tempo central to his attacking philosophy, and Roigard, one of the most dynamic scrumhalves in the game when fit, is the player best equipped to deliver it.