Sir John Kirwan has delivered a cheeky warning ahead of Saturday’s Rugby Greatest Rivalry Test at DHL Stadium: never believe Rassie Erasmus when the Springbok coach starts talking like an underdog.
The All Blacks legend knows the psychological theatre surrounding South Africa-New Zealand rugby as intimately as anyone. After New Zealand’s emphatic 33-16 victory over the Springboks at Ellis Park last week, the All Blacks climbed to No 1 in the World Rugby rankings, adding another layer of spice to a rivalry already seasoned by more than a century of history.
Kirwan, though, refuses to accept that South Africa have suddenly become the hunted.
“Never. Don’t believe Rassie. Don’t believe Rassie,” Kirwan said when asked whether the Springboks were finally the underdogs.
“They are four-time world champions. They’ve been an outstanding rugby team for four years. So they are world champions. We are the underdogs.”
There was a twinkle in the former All Black wing’s assessment, though his respect for South Africa was unmistakable.
Kirwan expects the Springboks to return with a sharper tactical blade in Cape Town.
“I think the Springboks will be way better. I think they’ll be a bit more conservative tomorrow. I think their infield kicking game will be different. So I expect them to try and pin us into our own half, so they’ll be way better.”
He also expects the All Blacks to raise their game.
“These guys are on a journey to get better every week, so I think it’s going to be a massive game. The pressure is on the world champions and I’m sure they’ll step up to that. There’d be a lot of fireworks.”
Kirwan sees a refreshing identity in Dave Rennie’s All Blacks, describing a team whose rugby connects with supporters because it reflects their natural strengths.
“What I’ve seen is that this All Black side is playing a style of rugby that I think suits our skill set and suits the type of athlete that we have.”
Saturday, he believes, could resemble a heavyweight boxing bout conducted at breakneck speed.
“It’s a boxing match. They’re gonna win some rounds, you’re gonna win some rounds. But at this level, winning those critical moments is really, really important.”
Those moments could arrive anywhere.
“Sometimes they come after five minutes. Sometimes they come in the 79th minute. So those critical moments, I think it’ll be incredibly close tomorrow. I think it’ll come down to a few points.”
Kirwan’s tactical philosophy is equally vivid.
“They say in rugby, mate, you need to win the first 10 minutes, the last 10 minutes before halftime, first 10 minutes after halftime, and the last 10 minutes.”
For him, the opening exchanges are about planting an early flag.
“It’s really important to start fast. It’s really important to try and imprint the way that you want to play on the opposition. The South African team will be trying to do the same.”
His simplest description of rugby may be his most memorable: “Chess with contact.”
“It’ll be a chess game out there tomorrow, tactically. I think, like I said, the South Africans will be different and we’ll be better as well.”
Kirwan also believes the absence of Handré Pollard will not fundamentally alter the Springboks’ challenge. He described Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu as “world class” and praised the depth available to both nations.
“I think one of our strengths is we have 35 players that can step up.”
On Feinberg-Mngomezulu, he added: “I think Sacha is still a young man and last week he would have learned a lot and he’ll be better tomorrow.”
Kirwan also celebrated South Africa’s fleet-footed wings like Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and fullback Damian Willemse recalling how smaller outside backs have reshaped the game.
“When you see Damian, his footwork. I mean, some of these guys (Kolbe, Arendse) have fantastic feet.”
His verdict was simple: “Long live the small, fast winger.”
The rivalry itself remains deeply personal for Kirwan. As an eight-year-old, he was allowed to stay up late to watch the All Blacks. South Africa, he recalls, provided a particularly stubborn obstacle.
“That whole rivalry, we don’t know who’s going to win, and I think we have the same passion for the game. And I think that’s brought us together.”
For Kirwan, rugby carries cultural weight far beyond the scoreboard.
“A lot of times in our country, the game’s been bigger than a game. I think Nelson Mandela did that. I think during times in New Zealand where we’ve felt a little bit down as a country, rugby has made us feel proud and shown us the way.”
“So I think it’s bigger than a game sometimes, especially here.”
And despite the rivalry, Kirwan has embraced South African hospitality.
“The hospitality, South African hospitality is unbelievable. Food’s great, people are lovely. And so for us, it’s like being at home. Really appreciate it.”
Cape Town now prepares for another heavyweight collision. The stakes are enormous, the tactical chessboard is set, and Kirwan has planted his flag firmly on one side.
Rassie may talk like the underdog. Kirwan is having none of it.
Teams:
South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 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 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Cameron Hanekom, 22 Morne van den Berg, 23 Manie Libbok.
New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Patrick Tuipoluto, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Josh Moorby
Date: Saturday, August 29
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 17.10
Expected weather conditions: Partly cloudy with a low of 11°C and a high of 18°C. Rain is also expected around kick-off time.
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
