Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Siya Kolisi have underlined the importance of a full-throttle performance when South Africa face New Zealand in a Rugby Championship clash in Wellington on Saturday.
The Boks are chasing more than just a win. Victory would secure back-to-back Freedom Cup triumphs for the first time since 2009, keep them in the hunt to defend their Rugby Championship crown, and even catapult them back to No 1 in the world rankings.
Stick admitted that last week’s 24-17 loss in Auckland left valuable lessons.
“Two soft moments early in the game cost us,” he said.
“This week, we have to be at our best for the full 80 minutes. We must be clinical, execute properly, and turn our chances into points.”
Kolisi echoed the call for composure, while brushing off concerns about the inexperience of the reshuffled backline.
“There’s a good mixture in this team. Many of these guys have been in the system for a long time, and some have won two World Cups,” said the Bok skipper, who will run out for his 96th Test.
“It’s not as though it’s a completely new team. I’m excited to see the different skillsets the new faces will bring.”
Asked whether the clash evoked memories of famous Wellington encounters, the 36-34 thriller in 2018 and the 16-16 draw in 2019, Kolisi was quick to separate the past from the present.
“This is a big game in its own right. We want to stay in the title race, and for some players it’s a huge opportunity. It’s very different from 2018.”
Kolisi admitted the intensity will be close to World Cup levels:
“It’s about staying calm and composed, just like in a final. But we’ve got enough motivation as it is. We want to deliver a performance our supporters can be proud of.”
Teams
New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Fabian Holland, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Ruben Love.
South Africa: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Damian Willemse, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Andre Esterhuizen.
Date: Saturday, September 8
Venue: Wellington Regional Stadium
Kick-off: 19.05 (09.05 SA time, 07.05 GMT)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
