Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira believes the Springboks have too much firepower up front for the All Blacks to handle in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
The former Bok loosehead prop has backed South Africa to win the first three encounters of the four-Test series, with New Zealand only getting on the board in the final clash in Baltimore.
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Mtawarira believes the Bok forward pack will ultimately prove decisive, particularly at scrum time and when they look to unleash their rolling maul.
“I think we can prepare ourselves for a massive battle, but I am convinced the Springboks have too much firepower,” Mtawarira said.
“Our pack of forwards will overwhelm the All Blacks. We have an incredible group of forwards who can put us on the front foot in various ways.”
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Mtawarira accepts that the All Blacks have rediscovered the attacking spark that allows them to threaten from anywhere on the field, but believes that will not be enough to overcome the Boks’ physicality.
“That is where the All Blacks will probably stumble, although they have the ability to play at a very high tempo and with agile backs can make their opponents chase shadows,” he said.
The former Bok has, however, been impressed by the work Dave Rennie has done since taking charge of the All Blacks.
“The All Blacks have gone through a rebuilding phase. They will be battle-ready for the Test series and they have had a lot of time to prepare.”
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Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Beast calls it 3-1 to Boks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira believes the Springboks have too much firepower up front for the All Blacks to handle in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
The post Beast calls it 3-1 to Boks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
