If selected, the world’s best and SA Rugby Player of the Year Malcolm Marx knows he and the Springboks have a job to do defending Ellis Park against the All Blacks on Saturday.
One of the world’s leading hookers renowned for his powerful ball-carrying and turnover prowess, the two-time World Cup winner expects an explosive showdown in the opening clash of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
The 32-year-old on Tuesday was asked if the Joburg venue is still a Bok fortress, given that the Wallabies stunned the world champs there last year, after the All Blacks did the same in 2022.
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“I think the whole of South Africa is our fortress, to be honest. It doesn’t matter where we play or who we’re playing against,” he said.
“We know we’re not just representing ourselves. We’ve got 64, 65 million people that we’re trying to represent, and we want to represent them the best we can on the day.”
According to the front-row juggernaut, previous success at scrum time will offer the Boks no comfort against an All Blacks pack determined to challenge them.
“We know the All Blacks will obviously come after us at the scrum. We can’t rely on what’s happened in the past to take us through this game,” Marx said.
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The breakdown will be another key battle, although Marx was giving little away about the Boks’ plans: “I don’t think I’ll tell you how we’ll try and stay on top of it! [Laughs]
“We’re doing a lot of analysis and seeing where we can be better, and the threats they bring in that aspect of the game. We’ll see how the weekend goes if I’m selected.”
There will be no excuses around the altitude or conditions, with Marx insisting both teams have had enough time to prepare.
“Everything’s the same for both sides. Whatever the occasion is and whatever comes on Saturday, we’ve just got to man up and give the best we can on the day.”
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On facing New Zealand rivals like Codie Taylor, Marx said he has plenty of respect for them.
“He’s a great player. We have a laugh and a beer after the game, but we both know that on the day we’ve both got a job to do.
“All explosive players, very explosive. Good with ball in hand, good in defence and obviously great at set-piece.”
And when the haka begins on Saturday, Marx’s focus will not be on matching the emotion but on what comes next.
“Respect it firstly,” he noted. “Think about your first job at hand after the haka is done.
“I do look at one specific player – I think you can probably guess who it is …”
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
The post Marx: The whole of SA is our fortress appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
If selected, the world’s best and SA Rugby Player of the Year Malcolm Marx knows he and the Springboks have a job to do defending Ellis Park against the All Blacks on Saturday.
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