The Springboks may have opened their international season with a Barbarians exhibition match, but their early signs of form have caught the attention of some of their fiercest rivals.
With the blockbuster Test against the All Blacks at Eden Park looming large on 6 September, former New Zealand stars Jeff Wilson, Mils Muliaina and Justin Marshall are already talking up the Springboks — and warning the All Blacks to take them seriously.
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The Boks and All Blacks will renew their iconic rivalry in the Rugby Championship, and while plenty of rugby remains before then, the Eden Park showdown is already being billed as a season-defining clash.
South Africa haven’t won at the Auckland fortress in decades, while New Zealand will be desperate to protect one of the proudest home records in world rugby. They’re unbeaten at Eden Park in 50 consecutive Tests stretching back to 1994.
Speaking on The Breakdown, former All Blacks backs dissected the Boks’ performance against the Barbarians and what it signals for the rest of the season.
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All Black Centurion Muliaina: “There’s an aura forming around this team. Every time they get into camp, put on the green jersey — they’re locked in. they’re always evolving. They’re setting the standard now.
They started with a hiss and a roar, they’ve got consistency and they’re constantly changing things. People are chasing them. They’ve got the bomb squad and world-class players in every position.”
60 cap All Black Wilson: ‘The Springboks were showing real structure & system play. They’re willing to use the ball. What stands out is how many players now have freedom to express themselves. We should be very wary.’
81 Test scrumhalf Justin Marshall: ”You’ve got to love the balance the are finding. They’re trending in a scary direction. There’s innovation in their attack. I just see them as not being as predictable as they were when they were winning World Cups in terms of the DNA of kick, territory base. Because now they’ve just got their explosive wingers, their centres are playing great, their forward pack’s massive.”
Photo: Anton Geyser/AG Media
