By Adnaan Mohamed
The stage is set. The old enemies are back. And the Springboks are ready to throw everything into the opening punch of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
When South Africa face New Zealand at 10bet Ellis Park on Saturday, it will be the first of four Tests between the heavyweight rivals in a series that promises enough drama to keep rugby fans glued to their screens.
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick knows exactly what is coming.
“Playing four games in one season against the All Blacks is always going to be a great challenge,” Stick said.
“These are moments that we live for. The closest thing to the Greatest Rivalry in terms of a series where every game counts is probably the British & Irish Lions series, or the knockout stages of the World Cup, and our mindset for these games will draw on those experiences.”
The Boks are under no illusion about the size of the challenge.
“We know it’s going to be a tough challenge. The All Blacks are in a good space and have been playing very well,” said Stick.
“But from our side, we also want to keep improving and evolving, and we will never be comfortable. It doesn’t get tougher than playing against the All Blacks four weeks in a row, and we are excited about it.”
That is fighting talk from a team preparing to enter a rugby pressure cooker.
Ellis Park brings the emotion
Captain Pieter-Steph du Toit, who will earn his 99th Test cap, is relishing the occasion.
“It’s a very different tournament,” he said. “To be involved in a series like this and have New Zealand play in South Africa, and also playing four games in a row is a massive honour and privilege.”
For Du Toit, Ellis Park carries memories bigger than rugby.
“It’s an awesome stadium for us and it’s close to my heart,” he said.
“When you stand there and sing the anthem and see the supporters behind the Springboks, it’s unbelievable. And of course, the 1995 Rugby World Cup was won there as well, so it’s a very special place for our country.”
Then comes the haka.
Du Toit says the Boks now have a deeper appreciation of what the ritual means to the All Blacks.
“I would never say we’d be relaxed, but it’s a massive honour to face the haka,” he said.
“We’ll face the haka with respect and we’ll accept the challenge.”
De Allende gets his flowers
Saturday will also belong to Damian de Allende, who becomes only the 10th Springbok to reach 100 Tests.
Stick believes the centre’s milestone deserves a standing ovation.
“For a guy like Damian de Allende, who has been with us through the ups and downs, and had to cope with a lot of people saying he wasn’t good enough to play for the Springboks, is amazing,” Stick said.
“He’s one of those guys who does the dirty work without anyone seeing it, so for him to play his 100th Test match is a great achievement for him and his family.”
Du Toit remembers watching De Allende during his Stormers days.
“I just saw this beast in the way he carried the ball and his work on defence,” he said.
“I have so much respect for him, the way he carries himself on and off the field, and how he’s grown as a person. It’s great to see people progress in life.”
Boks know where the battle will be won
Stick expects the All Blacks to bring serious heat at scrum and lineout time.
“We know New Zealand is going to bring it in terms of intensity,” he said.
“They’ll also look for gaps with their skilful players, so I’d say the key would be to stay alert and not get caught out.”
In other words, one defensive nap could become an All Blacks party.
The whistle blows at 17h10, with the match live on SuperSport. Limited tickets remain available.
Ellis Park is ready.
The rivalry is awake.
And the Boks are knocking on the door.
Teams
South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain), 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
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.
New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Anton Segner, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Leroy Carter.
Date: Saturday, August 22
Venue: 10bet Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17.10 (Sunday, August 22)
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)