Clashes between the All Blacks and Springboks always have the makings of a great spectacle.
This time‚ with a record at stake‚ Saturday’s encounter in Durban has multiplied expectations of a humdinger of a match-up between the old foes on the rugby field and friends off it.
The Rugby Championship may have been decided a long time ago and‚ technically‚ there is nothing much to play for in the competition after unbeaten New Zealand were officially crowned 2016 champs a fortnight ago.
The “small matter” of Adriaan Strauss playing in his last Springbok test on home soil brings an extra emotional injection to the game. Then‚ of course‚ with the Boks having already beaten Argentina and Australia in the competition‚ they will also be targeting an All Black scalp in their last game of the tournament.
Should the Boks do so‚ then they will cement their place as the second-best side in the tournament behind the Kiwis.
However‚ perhaps the biggest drawcard for the clash will be the record that is at stake.
The All Blacks have not suffered defeat in 16 consecutive games‚ and a win on Saturday will place the current Kiwis side alongside Nick Mallett’s Springbok team and two other All Black teams that hold a record for 17 straight wins.
This elephant in the records room is something that the All Blacks have discussed in the build-up to the match in Durban.
“Yep! It’s like everything else‚ if you try to avoid it‚ it creates more pressure. If you do talk about it and embrace it‚ it becomes a challenge‚” All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said.
“Whether you are successful or not is irrelevant at this stage. It certainly is something that motivates us. This is a team that seems to be a great All Black side.
“To be a great All Black side we have to do things that other All Black sides have not done. So that is something that has been talked about.”
Following last week’s win against the Wallabies the Boks will have gained some confidence going into the test against the All Blacks.
More confidence would be gained if the side were to end the New Zealanders’ purple patch‚ ahead of the end-year tour.
“We are playing the best team in the world. At the moment they are an amazing team‚ they are a well-oiled machine‚” Strauss said.
“They have continuity and are playing really great rugby. So you want to measure yourself against them.
“Secondly‚ we are playing in SA and we are playing for the Springboks‚ that is where our pride lies. Playing the All Blacks makes it more special.”
Just what is the secret to the All Blacks’ success?
“The secret is having a united vision of where you want to be and what you want to do as a team‚” Hansen explained.
“And trying to live that vision as much as you can‚ day in day out.
“The challenge when you are successful‚ I suppose‚ is staying successful. The only way you can do that is if you work hard.”
Kickoff for the match will be at 5.05pm. - Tiso Black Star Group Digital/Tiso Black Star Group Sport
Record-chasing All Blacks against Boks targeting second place makes for a humdinger in Durban
This time‚ with a record at stake‚ Saturday’s encounter in Durban has multiplied expectations of a humdinger of a match-up between the old foes on the rugby field and friends off it.
The Rugby Championship may have been decided a long time ago and‚ technically‚ there is nothing much to play for in the competition after unbeaten New Zealand were officially crowned 2016 champs a fortnight ago.
The “small matter” of Adriaan Strauss playing in his last Springbok test on home soil brings an extra emotional injection to the game. Then‚ of course‚ with the Boks having already beaten Argentina and Australia in the competition‚ they will also be targeting an All Black scalp in their last game of the tournament.
Should the Boks do so‚ then they will cement their place as the second-best side in the tournament behind the Kiwis.
However‚ perhaps the biggest drawcard for the clash will be the record that is at stake.
The All Blacks have not suffered defeat in 16 consecutive games‚ and a win on Saturday will place the current Kiwis side alongside Nick Mallett’s Springbok team and two other All Black teams that hold a record for 17 straight wins.
This elephant in the records room is something that the All Blacks have discussed in the build-up to the match in Durban.
“Yep! It’s like everything else‚ if you try to avoid it‚ it creates more pressure. If you do talk about it and embrace it‚ it becomes a challenge‚” All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said.
“Whether you are successful or not is irrelevant at this stage. It certainly is something that motivates us. This is a team that seems to be a great All Black side.
“To be a great All Black side we have to do things that other All Black sides have not done. So that is something that has been talked about.”
Following last week’s win against the Wallabies the Boks will have gained some confidence going into the test against the All Blacks.
More confidence would be gained if the side were to end the New Zealanders’ purple patch‚ ahead of the end-year tour.
“We are playing the best team in the world. At the moment they are an amazing team‚ they are a well-oiled machine‚” Strauss said.
“They have continuity and are playing really great rugby. So you want to measure yourself against them.
“Secondly‚ we are playing in SA and we are playing for the Springboks‚ that is where our pride lies. Playing the All Blacks makes it more special.”
Just what is the secret to the All Blacks’ success?
“The secret is having a united vision of where you want to be and what you want to do as a team‚” Hansen explained.
“And trying to live that vision as much as you can‚ day in day out.
“The challenge when you are successful‚ I suppose‚ is staying successful. The only way you can do that is if you work hard.”
Kickoff for the match will be at 5.05pm. - Tiso Black Star Group Digital/Tiso Black Star Group Sport
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