Former All Blacks captain Taine Randell believes Saturday’s third Greatest Rivalry Test at FNB Stadium could be the biggest challenge of many players’ careers.
The series is locked at 1-1 after New Zealand won the opening Test 33-16 at Ellis Park before the Springboks hit back with a 33-26 victory in Cape Town last weekend.
With both teams largely sticking with their strongest combinations, Randell expects another fascinating battle when the rivals meet in Johannesburg on Saturday.
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“Well, this is what makes this game so interesting,” Randell told The Platform NZ podcast.
“With the first game, we won, and I think, again, against a lot of people’s predictions, we all thought there was going to be a huge Springboks response.
“There was, but on the scoreline, it wasn’t really. There was only one try in it, and we scored more tries than they did.
“That’s what makes this third game so compelling. There’s going to be no change in styles. It’s just going to be a change of will and determination. Well, not a change; it’s going to be whose will and determination.”
Randell, who won 51 Test caps for the All Blacks between 1997 and 2001, also highlighted the lack of rotation from both teams as a key factor.
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While the Springboks and All Blacks have plenty of depth in their wider squads, both coaches have largely relied on their best players during the series.
“The two games have been brutal physically and mentally,” Randell said.
“So, this third game in FNB Stadium, is going to be, I think, the biggest Test that a lot of these players have played in their careers, because physically and mentally they would not have had three Tests of this intensity in their careers in three weeks.”
Photo: Roger Sedres/Gallo Images
The post Randell: Third Test will be biggest yet appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Former All Blacks captain Taine Randell believes Saturday’s third Greatest Rivalry Test at FNB Stadium could be the biggest challenge of many players’ careers.
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