New Zealand pair Cam Roigard and Will Jordan have spoken of their excitement at finally getting the chance to face the Springboks on South African soil. CLINTON VAN DER BERG reports.
A frustrating run of injuries has denied both players the opportunity in recent years, with Saturday’s clash at Ellis Park also set to mark their first appearances of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour.
“It’s a pretty awesome opportunity to finally play them at their home,” Roigard said, reflecting on a missed chance in 2024 through injury and another lost opportunity against the Boks in New Zealand last year for the same reason.
“Been waiting a few years for this opportunity, and yeah, hoping to be able to take that on Saturday. Massively excited. And I think that’s the whole feeling around the camp.”
Roigard, tasked with going head-to-head with opposite number Grant Williams, said the Springbok scrumhalf brings a dangerous blend of pace and instinct that the All Blacks forwards must be alert to.
“I feel like just how athletic they are firstly, they’re pretty fast,” he said. “They’ll back themselves when they see half a gap as well. If they get quick ball and they get a corner claim, then he’ll be straight through.”
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Jordan, meanwhile, addressed the aerial battle that has become a hallmark of Springbok Tests, saying the All Blacks have sharpened their approach to contestable kicks after identifying it as a growth area.
“It’s no secret the guys like retreating to catch. It’s been the biggest difference,” he said. “That’ll be a step up this weekend with the way the Springboks go hard in that area. It’ll be an area we have to defuse, but I feel like we’ve got a decent plan heading in.”
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On the unique challenge of Ellis Park itself, Jordan described the ground as a venue of contrasting halves, where conditions can shift dramatically as the sun drops.
“Both Test matches I’ve played there have gone down to the last five or 10 minutes,” he said, “so your ability to be tight as a group when pressure comes on is really important.”
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Both players also reflected on lessons drawn from the All Blacks’ heavy defeat to the Springboks in Wellington, with Jordan noting New Zealand were competitive deep into the contest before losing control late.
“When they do get the momentum, how do we as leaders get the group together, stay composed, and flip that around?” he said. “[These are] probably key things I took from that last 20.”
Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images
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New Zealand pair Cam Roigard and Will Jordan have spoken of their excitement at finally getting the chance to face the Springboks on South African soil. CLINTON VAN DER BERG reports. A frustrating run of injuries has denied both players the opportunity in recent years, with Saturday’s clash at Ellis Park also set to mark their first appearances of the… Read more →
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