Scott Robertson: All Blacks must beat Boks twice to regain Rugby Championship

Robertson's side will play host to the defending champions in rounds three and four of this year's Championship, putting their 31-year unbeaten record at Eden Park on the line in the process.

Both sides come into the Rugby Championship in good touch. Erasmus' side romped to a series win against Italy in their two-Test series and backed that up with a win over Georgia; and in that time, the Boks also notched 142 points while only conceding 34.

The All Blacks also notched a home series win last month, securing a clean sweep over France in a three-Test series. Robertson's side scored 103 points in that time and conceded 63.

But while they might both be in good form, recent results suggest the visitors could be the favourites. The Springboks have won their past four meetings, including the dramatic 2023 World Cup final in Paris and the two 2024 Rugby Championship clashes; wins which eventually steered the Boks to their first title since 2019.

With the Boks coming to Aotearoa as reigning champions, Robertson, who is also known as "Razor", is fully aware of the threat they represent and feels his side's title hopes rest on that two-Test series in September.

"They're one and the same, aren't they?" he responded when asked if he would rather beat the Boks twice or win the title.

"I think if anyone is looking to win the Rugby Championship, you've got to beat them twice. That's the reality of it."

The victories over South Africa would also see them win back the Freedom Cup, which they lost for the first time since 2009 last year.

While the results of the All Blacks v Springboks series could define the outcome of the title, this feels like an unusually open Rugby Championship.

Argentina, while bested by England in their own two-Test series, come into this year's competition after beating the British and Irish Lions in Dublin, while Australia also improved as the three-Test Lions series went on, eventually ending it on a win.

With that in mind, the All Blacks boss is under no illusions of the challenge facing his side in the coming months.

"I definitely understand the importance of it," Robertson said of the wider competition. "Everyone's feeling is how competitive it's going to be.

"You've got an Aussie team playing some great footie at the end of the (Lions) Test series, we know how strong South Africa are and Argentina on their day as well, they're so creative, have some great players coming through Europe and are really well coached.

"It's a hell of a competition, really tight, but it's just what we need."

The All Blacks begin their Rugby Championship title quest with two tough Tests against Argentina away from home, before returning to home soil to face the Springboks. They then end the Championship against Australia.