Johan Grobbelaar insists there will be no dip in motivation as the Springboks look to finish 2025 on a high against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.
The Bok hooker, who has fought his way back into the national setup this season, believes the squad’s momentum and unity over the November tour will carry them into one last battle.
“There have been a few good games over the last few weeks and actually some big away games that we’ve won,” Grobbelaar said.
“The team’s done really well and now it’s the last one for us against Wales. I don’t think there’ll be any lack of motivation from the guys, I think we’ll handle it with the same intensity as other Test weeks. Maybe there’ll be some new combinations, some new guys getting opportunities but I think everyone’s going to be 100% in.”
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Wales were beaten 52-26 by the All Blacks last weekend, but Grobbelaar warned that the scoreboard disguised the threat they pose, and the Boks are expecting nothing less than a full-blooded Test.
“They have some great rugby players. As we saw [against the All Blacks] they can score some beautiful tries, they’ve got a good skill set at the back and they’re always a threat under the high ball.”
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Grobbelaar said the Boks’ forward cohesion has grown steadily on tour, even as the coaches rotated combinations.
“I think what has helped us is training together these last few weeks,” he said. “We’ve been mixing players, so we really got to know each other, even the younger guys who I haven’t played with a lot. So this weekend – with some new combinations – I’m sure we’ll be ready for the battle.”
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For the Vodacom Bulls hooker, the past few months have also been personally meaningful as he fought his way back into Bok contention.
“It’s been great. For the early part of the year, I was out of the Springbok mix and then coming back in now, getting opportunities to fight in the four or five games I’ve played. It’s great putting on the green jersey and getting the opportunity to be on the field.”
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And while the Boks enter the clash as favourites, Grobbelaar knows from the Vodacom URC just how stubborn Welsh teams can be.
“Over the last few years, we’ve gotten to know some of the Welsh players through the URC, so there’ll be some familiar faces. On paper, we’re maybe the favourites, but knowing the Welsh after playing them in the URC, they’re a proud nation that won’t go away and it’ll be a full-on battle for 80 minutes.”
Photo: Franco Arland/Getty Images
