Saturday’s test match will once again be a “war” between two of the oldest rivals in World Rugby, winger Cheslin Kolbe believes.
And after the side “pulled through” in Johannesburg, he now wants them to take another step forward against an opposition that will be tough to beat.
The #Springboks are expecting the All Blacks to lift the intensity when they meet in Cape Town on Saturday - more here: https://t.co/rCmOQpscad 🆙#ForverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/Dijs1XEEkr
— Springboks (@Springboks) September 4, 2024
Like many of his teammates, Kolbe remembers the 2022 test series where his side dominated the Johannesburg game, but lost, and failed to back up their win in Mbombela. This weekend that needs to change as the side looks for more consistency in the toughest of arenas.
“I think for us as well, we’ve been struggling in the past with having two consecutive games against teams. Obviously, Ireland early on in the year and Australia which we’ve done quite well,” Kolbe said on Wednesday.
“We try and improve and get that consistency whenever we play teams twice. It just depends on how the team and the players are.
“We know South Africa-New Zealand, it’s always a war and this coming week is not going to be anything different, they’re going to come out firing. For us, we just need to make sure we prepare as well as we can and put ourselves in positions where we think they might try out different things.
“I think it’s just staying on task and just not to think too much about it because if we train well, we put in the hard work, then hopefully everything will pay off this coming Saturday hopefully.”
AIMING FOR A FAST START
The All Blacks started the game off at a hectic pace in Johannesburg, and Kolbe said the key was to ensure the Boks started off at the same pace as well and curbed the All Blacks fast start.
“They have a good skill set all around the park and they put a big emphasis on a fast start, so it will be a big drive for us to start the match fast as well,” said Kolbe.
“They almost caught us out with that at Emirates Airline Park, but luckily, we managed to pull it through. So, we need to lay a good foundation in the first 20 minutes.
“In the past we also struggled to come back and finish games strongly against them, and last week showed the character of the group and the players’ willingness not to give up.
“We certainly don’t want any regrets, so we must make sure we do the basics well and execute our game plan well. Last week gave us confidence, but now we have to build on that.”
The winger said that scenario planning helped the Boks pull back from 10 points down to beat the All Blacks at the death last week, and that the side continued to grow in these situations.
“What helps is the coaches put us in scenarios through the week, whether we either simulate being a man down, or 10 or 15 points behind. What is the plan from there?" he said.
"In the past, we wouldn't have been able to come back from 10 points behind against New Zealand and win.
"But it just shows the character of this group, the belief of each player, and the willingness not to give up. When we go out on that field, we don't want to have any regrets."
Kolbe added while the All Blacks are to have their fair share of supporters in Cape Town, he believed the Bok fans would outnumber them.
“They have a lot of supporters in Cape Town, but so do we as we all saw during the trophy tour after the Rugby World Cup, and we draw a lot of energy from them,” said Kolbe.
“But we also know that the only way to gain more support is to win, so hopefully we’re winning over a few more supporters here.”
The Bok team will be named for the fixture on Thursday.