CAPE TOWN – Springbok will not underestimate the Barbarians when the two sides meet in the Qatar Airways Cup on Saturday.
This was a view from the Springbok Assistant Coach Mzwandile Stick during Friday’s media conference in Cape Town.
Centre Jesse Kriel will lead South Africa after coach Rassie Erasmus was forced to make a late change to his team on Friday, following the withdrawal of Siya Kolisi due to a niggle.
Stick says the Boks will treat tomorrow’s clash at DHL Stadium as a proper test match, something the team is looking forward to.
“We are treating this match like a proper test match, we will wear the Springbok jersey tomorrow,” said Stick.
“We don’t take for granted when we are representing a country, you can even feel the positive energy in South Africa when fans hear that we will be playing.
“So, we understand the Barbarians, their style of play, but we will go full out at DHL Stadium.
“They have a strong squad, I like the X-factor when they select their side. Those players probably want to prove a point to their teams and countries.
Sticks says they are expecting a tough side that will bring an entertaining game of rugby.
“We don’t know what to expect from a team like the Barbarians, it’s going to be a challenge for us which we are ready for,” he said.
“We just need to make sure that our systems are operating well on the day, but other than that, we are looking forward to this game.”
Few Springboks players mentioned this week during the media conferences that this year’s three-week camp in Johannesburg was the toughest ever, Stick says they had to pull up their socks in the camp.
“What’s important is you must remember these players are from different countries and different leagues across the world, so we had to show them how we play and operate as the Springboks,” added Stick.
“I can tell you it was tough, and we prepared well in Johannesburg, the conditions up there are always challenging and tough, I remember getting into a treadmill it wasn’t easy.
“But what makes us happy as a coaching group is to make sure we pull the team together as we know they come with different style of play and different philosophies from their respective leagues and teams.”
Image: @Springboks/Twitter.
