The Springboks are braced for a monumental clash against the All Blacks at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium on Saturday, with the Freedom Cup within reach for the first time since 2009.
THE SPRINGBOKS are braced for a monumental clash against New Zealand at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium on Saturday, with the Freedom Cup within reach for the first time since 2009.
Both captain Siya Kolisi and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick expressed their excitement ahead of this high-stakes encounter, where the Boks will not only be playing for the prestigious trophy but also vying to boost their standing in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.
Having already secured three consecutive victories against the All Blacks, a feat only matched once before in the team’s history, the Boks have a chance to make history. However, Kolisi and Stick are under no illusion about the magnitude of the task that awaits them.
Kolisi, nursing a nasal fracture from last week’s 31-27 victory in Johannesburg, reassured the media that he is ready for battle. “I’m fine, there’s nothing I can do about it,” Kolisi stated confidently. He emphasised that the pain wouldn’t stop him from leading his team in what he described as a crucial match. “It’s not just important for me; the match is huge for the whole team.”
For Kolisi, this match offers more than just personal pride. The team has never been in such a favourable position in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, and most of the current squad has never even touched the Freedom Cup. “We’ve only seen photographs of the Freedom Cup; most of us in this group haven’t touched it,” Kolisi remarked.
Playing in Cape Town, a city where the All Blacks traditionally dominate, adds another layer of intensity to the match. “A good result this weekend could place us in a favourable position to win the competition.”
Kolisi stressed the importance of starting strong. “The key is to put our front foot forward from the outset, rather than trying to fight back the way we did last week. The players the All Blacks have selected show how they want to play, so it is crucial for us to start this match strongly.”
Stick echoed Kolisi’s sentiments, warning against complacency. “You can never be comfortable playing against New Zealand,” Stick said. He pointed to the All Blacks’ resilience after losses, especially their bounce-back ability in previous encounters, as a sign that the Boks must bring their best performance.
Both Kolisi and Stick acknowledged the special significance of the match. With South Africa celebrating 30 years of democracy, winning the Freedom Cup would be a fitting tribute to the nation’s progress. “It’s a special trophy,” Stick said. “We’ll do everything we can to win the trophy.”
However, Stick cautioned that the All Blacks remain a formidable foe, capable of turning the tide in any game. “Most of the games between us recently could have come down to the last second,” Stick observed, stressing that the Boks will need to be mentally and physically prepared for a full 80-minute battle.
Kolisi also noted the unique atmosphere of playing in Cape Town, where New Zealand traditionally enjoys strong support. “We would obviously like as many South African supporters there as possible, but we have to respect all the supporters and their views,” he said.
The captain remains focused on delivering the best performance possible, hoping to sway some of the crowd’s support with their efforts on the field.
The stage is set for an epic showdown between two of rugby’s greatest rivals. The match will kick off at 5pm and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
Will the Springboks be able to break their 15-year drought and bring the Freedom Cup home? All eyes will be on Cape Town on Saturday.
