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| Springboks vs. the All Blacks |
The All Blacks’ last defeat to the Springboks on home soil was in the 2009 Tri-Nation in the 32-29 defeat at Waikato Stadium, under the guidance of Peter de Villiers.
Speaking at
a media conference Springboks assistant coach, Johann van Graan said this match is what
they might need to turn the tables around.
“We have a
few strengths that we want to use and each rugby match has its own character,” Van
Graan said.
He said
maintaining a high start for the entire game is what they would need to defeat
the All Blacks who have only lost twice to the Springboks since 2009.
“We have to
be able to take the pressure and apply pressure and the team that is able to do
that for the full 80 minutes will win the Test.
The two
rugby rivals have huge respect for each other and it's always a special occasion
when the two sides meet. Whether you on the coaching staff or playing, you want
to test yourself against the best in the world and on Saturday this will be
such an occasion,” Van Graan said.
Springboks
coach, Allister Coetzee is likely to replace injured Free State Cheetahs lock,
Lood de Jager with versatile forward, Willem Alberts for the All Blacks clash.
Despite the
Springboks’ failure to get impressive results under Allister Coetzee, All
Blacks Flanker, Jerome Kaino said undermining the Springboks would be their
biggest mistake.
“We know
that every time the All Blacks play the Springboks it's always been tight.
They'll want to bounce back and they want to get a win so we'll be preparing as
we always do and we'll be expecting something tight," Kaino said.
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