The past few weeks have been something of a reunion for two men who will line up alongside each other in Saturday’s Nations Championship rugby international between the Springboks and Wales in Durban.
A product of Bellville Hoërskool, 29-year-old Carlu Sadie will make his debut at tighthead prop in the Hollywoodbets Kings Park game.
He is new to the Bok setup, but he won’t be completely new to the man who will pack down at hooker, the reigning World Rugby Player of the Year Malcolm Marx.
The pair played together in Sadie’s first year at the Lions, 2019. It turned out to be Marx’s last season with the Johannesburg franchise (Sadie stayed there until he moved to the Sharks at the end of 2022), but he has a vivid memory of being impressed with Sadie’s scrumming ability during the course of that season.
“Fortunately I scrummed with Carlu back at the Lions. I have played with him and scrummed next to him so I know very well what he can do,” said Marx.
“Carlu had a great season at Bordeaux, where he became a Champions Cup winner. He was very much the corner of their scrum. I am glad he’s now getting his opportunity (to show what he can do at Springbok level).”
It’s been a while since they played together but Marx said there was still some familiarity and was looking forward to the challenge awaiting on Saturday.
“Obviously we haven’t played together for a little while, so this week it has all been about getting those combinations right again and seeing what works best for us. But I’m looking forward to the challenge this weekend. I think he is too.”
'ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT'
Marx didn’t play in the 42-28 win over Scotland but agreed that there were several work ons after the Loftus experience.
“There is always room for improvement,” Marx said.
“Regardless of how the game goes, whether you think you have had the perfect game or not, the game of rugby will always have mistakes. And last week against Scotland there were quite a few small things that we did not get right. There were also some things from the England match that still need to be polished.”
Although Wales are currently ranked a lowly 12th in the world, Marx indicated that the Boks still have massive respect for the Wales team, who he says never throw in the towel regardless of the odds that might be stacked against them in a particular match.
“We know how physical they can be and what a threat they are. So this week is about working on those one or two-per centres to get better for this weekend,” he said.
“Wales are a tough side, regardless of their previous results. They are an extremely physical side and are well drilled. They have a confrontational forward pack. Every time we have played them, it has been a tough battle. They don’t go away. It will take a full 80-minute performance this weekend.”
Although a game against Wales is regarded as a bit of a step down from the clashes with England and Scotland that started the Bok Nations Championship campaign local radio and media are reporting that tickets are selling well for the game and a big crowd is expected.