Springboks Lukhanyo Am and Kwagga Smith can’t wait for the All Blacks to arrive in South Africa, writes CLINTON VAN DER BERG.
The countdown is on. With the All Blacks set to touch down on South African soil for a blockbuster tour starting early next month, Am and Smith didn’t hold back on the anticipation building around Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.
“It’s really massive,” Am said at the Johannesburg announcement of Castle Double Malt as title sponsor of the tour.
“For me also, seeing it from a different perspective, it’s special, realising how big these matches are for all our fans and obviously the sponsors and everyone coming together.”
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Smith, his left leg in a cast due to an ACL injury, was buzzing at the prospect of watching the Boks face the All Blacks four times, saying the scale of the series is unmatched in the modern game.
“Facing New Zealand, doing it three times at home [and once in the USA], you can’t get any better,” Smith said.
He added that the series, which includes four franchise matches, offers a rare platform for provincial and club players who may never otherwise test themselves against All Black opposition.
“A lot of club players don’t get to experience going to New Zealand or playing against New Zealand sides,” Smith said. “For those guys, it’s going to be massive, it’s going to be great for a young guy. What better opportunity do you want to prove yourself?”
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Both players touched on the intensity of pulling on the green and gold against New Zealand, with Am reflecting on his own early Test experience against the All Blacks.
“You always wish one day to face the haka,” said the two-time World Cup winner. “For me, being able to share the field and play the Test … I was over the moon.”
Smith praised the depth and competitiveness within the current Springbok squad, crediting the coaching set-up for keeping standards high across every position.
“All the young guys coming through are playing really well,” he said. “You know that you are going to get your opportunity, and when you get your opportunity, you’ve got to use it.”
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Looking ahead to the series itself, Smith said New Zealand’s exciting young crop, buoyed by a strong Super Rugby season, will provide a stern examination for the world No 1-ranked Springboks.
“You can see it’s an exciting brand of rugby that they want to play,” Smith said. “For those young boys coming to South Africa and playing against the Springboks, that’s going to be the biggest test for them, where they want to measure themselves.”
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Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
The post ‘Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry will be massive’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Springboks Lukhanyo Am and Kwagga Smith can’t wait for the All Blacks to arrive in South Africa
The post ‘Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry will be massive’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
