Mzwandile Stick says Saturday’s Nations Championship clash at Kings Park is another chance for the world champion Springboks to strengthen their trophy ambitions.
The Boks, who host Wales in Durban in round three of the competition, sit top of the southern hemisphere standings on 10 points after wins over England and Scotland. The tournament’s finals weekend is scheduled for 27-29 November at Twickenham.
While Rassie Erasmus’ men aren’t dismissing the challenge of the Welsh, Stick on Friday admitted they are looking further down the road.
“We’ve always had a July incoming series, and then we go on the end-of-year tour,” the assistant coach said. “The fact that it’s linked together now gives us a bigger challenge.
“We are looking towards the bigger goal, to play in the final game at Twickenham. But we always focus on one game at a time.”
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Stick also spoke glowingly about the four debutants in the Bok starting XV, Ruben van Heerden, Carlü Sadie, Vusi Moyo and Jaco Williams.
“I first worked with Ruben in 2017 with the Junior Boks, and Carlü was also in that team. Vusi won the World Cup last year with the Junior Boks. I think about me as a 19-year-old, there’s no way I can compare myself to where Vusi is currently, mindset wise,” he said.
“And then you’ve got a guy like Jaco Williams, from Somerset East. I had to Google the last Springbok to come from that region – it was 1955.
“Every opportunity you get to represent your country is something not to be taken for granted, so I’m excited about what the team is going to do tomorrow.”
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Pieter-Steph du Toit is set to captain the side for a third consecutive week in Siya Kolisi’s absence, and Stick reflected on the flanker’s growth since first leading the Boks against Wales eight years ago.
“His first game as a captain in Washington in 2018 was against Wales and look at where we are currently. He’s also one of the guys who probably doesn’t have to say a word, but people know what he stands for,” he said.
Turning to Wales, Stick praised the visitors’ physicality while drawing parallels between the two nations’ rugby cultures.
“They’re moving in the right direction and are in a good space currently. The closest personality and background wise to us, I think, is the Welsh. They’re very tough people.
“They’re very heavy on breakdowns, especially if you look at their loose trio. When you look at their backline, there’s a couple of guys who have been around. They also take pride in how they operate with their set-pieces,” he added.
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Stick also provided an update on Kolisi and Canan Moodie, though confirmed no late changes are expected to the match 23.
“Siya, with his hamstring, is starting to recover well and was training for the first time with the team. Canan Moodie was also playing. I don’t think there will be any changes, everyone is fine,” he said.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
The post Stick: Our goal is bigger than Wales appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Mzwandile Stick says Saturday’s Nations Championship clash at Kings Park is another chance for the world champion Springboks to strengthen their trophy ambitions.
The post Stick: Our goal is bigger than Wales appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
