SA Rugby president Mark Alexander says the Springboks and All Blacks have forged rugby’s greatest rivalry through mutual respect, friendship and a shared pursuit of excellence.
Alexander was speaking at the All Blacks’ official welcome event at Cape Town Stadium on Friday ahead of the eight-match Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour.
“This occasion is more than a contest of skill and tradition; it is a celebration of respect, heritage and the enduring spirit that binds our nations through the game we cherish,” he said.
“Our two nations stand proudly as the most successful teams in Rugby World Cup history.
“Time and again, South Africa and New Zealand have brought the best out of each other, not only in competition, but in the way we elevate the standards of the game itself.”
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Alexander described the tour as “a tribute to the respect, heritage and the enduring legacy” created by generations of Springboks and All Blacks, and said the rivalry had produced some of rugby’s most historic moments.
“The 1995 Rugby World Cup final in Johannesburg, where Nelson Mandela presented the trophy to Francois Pienaar, symbolising unity in a new South Africa.
“The 1981 “Flour Bomb Test” in Auckland, remembered for both the protests against apartheid and the dramatic finish on the field.
“The 1937 Springbok tour of New Zealand, when South Africa became the first team to win a series on Kiwi soil.
“The 1996 All Blacks series victory in South Africa, their first ever, marking a turning point in modern rugby.
“The 2023 Rugby World Cup final in Paris, where the Springboks edged the All Blacks in a classic contest that reaffirmed the rivalry’s global significance.”
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Alexander highlighted the relationship between the current captains, Siya Kolisi and Ardie Savea.
“Our captains stand as good friends and true ambassadors for the global game,” he said. “Their leadership embodies the values of respect, humility and sportsmanship, reminding us that rugby’s greatest strength lies not only in rivalry, but in the friendships and shared purpose it creates.”
Alexander thanked the All Blacks for taking part in a coaching clinic with the Stormers before urging both nations to embrace the spirit of the tour.
“As we stand together in anticipation of this great rivalry, let us remember that rugby is not only about competition, but also about friendship, learning and mutual respect,” he said.
“May this inaugural tour inspire the next generation and reaffirm the enduring ties between South Africa and New Zealand.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post ‘Rugby’s greatest rivalry built on respect’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander says the Springboks and All Blacks have forged rugby’s greatest rivalry through mutual respect, friendship and a shared pursuit of excellence.
The post ‘Rugby’s greatest rivalry built on respect’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
