The Springboks are fired up and ready for what assistant coach Tony Brown is calling their "biggest game since the 2023 World Cup Final!" The clash against the All Blacks at Eden Park is looming, a venue where the Boks haven't tasted victory since way back in 1937. Eish! And the All Blacks? Untouchable there since 1994.
But hey, the Boks have a winning streak of four against their rivals, and this could be Ardie Savea's 100th test match. So, the pressure is ON! Remember those two wins against the All Blacks last season in South Africa, leading to the Rugby Championship title? And that nail-biting 12-11 World Cup Final victory in 2023? Lekker! This match is shaping up to be a real classic.
The team arrived in Auckland on Wednesday night and had a light gym and recovery session on Thursday. They'll be hitting the field on Friday before going into full test match mode on Monday. "The All Blacks are going to be desperate to win, and so will the Springboks, which should make for an amazing game," Brown said.
"The feeling in the camp is mainly excitement. The Eden Park record is on the line, and it’s an amazing opportunity for us to go out there and take on the challenge." Brown reckons it'll be a tight game, but he's confident the Boks can bring their A-game. Let's hope they can break that Eden Park hoodoo!
"Every test is important in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, and it’s always going to come down to one or two games, so hopefully we can win the key ones and make a push in New Zealand, and return to South Africa with some points on the board," Brown added. Go Bokke!