Rugby
Boks motivated by home ground support─── MORGAN PIEK 09:08 Sat, 31 Aug 2024
“Playing in South Africa makes a huge difference – it motivates us because we are playing for the people of South Africa and that drives us immensely as a team.”
The Springboks will be looking to go one step further to their first Rugby Championship title since 2019 when they tackle the All Blacks on Saturday in Johannesburg.
The Springboks have gone with what is close to their strongest possible side for the big Test against their bitter rivals, however, they are motivated by playing in front of their home fans.
The Rugby World Cup final Haka. Picture: Johan Orton
Since the defeat to Ireland in the second Test in Durban, the Boks went on to hammer the Wallabies in back-to-back Tests in Australia, but the All Blacks will pose a totally different challenge. In addition, they are also extra motivated when facing the Springboks, and especially considering that in their last meeting, they lost 12-11 in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final in France.
The Boks do have the advantage of playing at home in both Tests against the Kiwis, but a strong start will be required at Ellis Park, which hasn’t been the kindest to them in terms of results against New Zealand in recent times.
The Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, said they will feed on the energy of the crowd, which is expected to be electric… if you’re a South African.
Springbok fan. Picture: Johan Orton
“Playing in South Africa makes a huge difference – it motivates us because we are playing for the people of South Africa and that drives us immensely as a team,” said Kolisi.
“The All Blacks are highly motivated for the match, but so are we. A good result will take us a step closer to winning the Freedom Cup. They’ve beaten us a lot in Johannesburg, but the Boks have a lot to play for, and that’s our focus as a team.”
Saturday’s highly anticipated Test between the Springboks and All Blacks in Johannesburg kicks off at 17:00.
Springboks – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 2 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements – 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Handré Pollard
All Blacks – 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Tupou Vaa'i, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams
Replacements – 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Mark Tele'a
