Stephen Donald applauded the physicality and try-scoring prowess of Springbok juggernaut Malcolm Marx in the third Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
The former All Blacks flyhalf was speaking to Kiwi sportscaster Kirstie Stanway on The Aftermatch with Kirst & Beav podcast, prompted by Ardie Savea’s brace at FNB Stadium on Saturday – a haul that moved him top of the forwards’ all-time Test try-scoring list (35).
“I wanted to talk about a couple of other people on that list,” Stanway said. “Richie McCaw, 27 tries. Malcolm Marx also sits on that 27-try mark, and the great Kieran Read, 26.
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“It’s a pretty illustrious list when you look at those guys. Not bad company.”
Donald shifted the spotlight to Marx, whose second-half maul try had helped push the Boks to a 29-24 win and 2-1 series lead heading into this week’s Baltimore clash.
“It’s a wonderful list and I was going to ask you where Marx was. He’s often at the back of the all-powerful mauls from the Boks too. He was phenomenal.”
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Stanway agreed but reckoned the Bok hooker’s influence went beyond the try itself.
“It wasn’t just what he was doing around the field. It’s the swagger that Malcolm Marx has got about him.
“You love a Henry Pollock character but he [Marx] doesn’t seem arrogant or anything like that … just to give a salute, the two taps on the ground. He was up for that Test, Beav.”
Donald picked up on the needle built up over the last three Tests, before turning to Marx’s role at the breakdown.
“There’s plenty of spice there at the moment … your memory doesn’t exactly allow you to forget what happened six days earlier or some of the contests that you’ve had with each other.
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“When he gets over the ball, you’re just waiting for the arm to go out from the referee … You’re not going to shift him if you’re not there early. Once he gets locked on the ball, it’s all over.”
Stanway also needed no convincing of South Africa’s set-piece superiority. “We’ve got to give them their flowers,” she noted.
“They are a super impressive outfit and whether you like scrums or not, scrums have been talked about heavily over the last three weeks.
“And when the Boks do it and demolish someone, it’s so impressive.”
A half-joking Donald added: “I like watching it – if it just doesn’t happen to be against guys wearing black jerseys.”
Photo: Floris van Schouwenburg/Gallo Images
The post Beaver gives ‘phenomenal’ Marx his flowers appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Stephen Donald applauded the physicality and try-scoring prowess of Springbok juggernaut Malcolm Marx in the third Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
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