Springboks not underestimating All Blacks in Mbombela Stadium clash
New Zealand will be a much improved team
The Springboks will not be underestimating the wounded All Blacks in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship match at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
New Zealand lost the test series against Ireland last month.
“There is no test match in which we underestimate our opponents. For us it’s important to be at our best in every test match. We know they will be desperate to put up a big performance. But we are also desperate in terms of improving our game. Our attitude to preparing to become the best we can be will not change,” said Bok forwards coach, Deon Davids, at a press conference at the Southern Sun Emnotweni this morning, August 1.
“We have a lot of respect for how New Zealand approach the set pieces. It will be physical coming up against them. Their new forwards coach [Jason Ryan] said they want to improve their set pieces. They will be a challenge, but we are prepared for them.”
The South African prop, Frans Malherbe, said, “The All Blacks will be very dangerous. They are a formidable team. Our focus is on us getting better. The set piece will always be important. That is my primary job. We are constantly trying to improve, that is our main focus.”
Malherbe said he was looking forward to playing on the Mbombela Stadium pitch.
“It’s a home game for us. It will be special. Last year we [Western Province] played here. It’s a very good pitch. The fans are back [after the Covid-19 lockdown]. Playing in a full-capacity stadium really helps [the team] a lot to play in that kind of atmosphere,” said Malherbe.
The Boks are enjoying their week in the Lowveld.
“It is a special part of South Africa. We had an awesome prep week. We saw a bit of the Lowveld in our off time. It’s awesome to be here. I would really like to thank the people of the Lowveld,” the prop forward said.
Davids said the Blitzboks’ gold medal win last night at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, has inspired the squad.
“Congratulations to the Blitzboks on an outstanding performance. They played with the typical character of a South African team. They executed their game plan well. They must know that they made us proud and also serve as an inspiration for us,” Davids said.
