Kwagga Smith is looking forward to resuming his rivalry with New Zealand and Ardie Savea in particular when the Springboks face the All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.
Saturday’s Test will be a crucial one as both teams look to build on opening victories in the Rugby Championship and continue their preparation for the World Cup in France.
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The winner of the encouter at the Mount Smart Stadium will have the inside track towards the Rugby Championship title in this year’s truncated tournament.
It will be the first time the Springboks and All Blacks face off this year, before they clash again in a World Cup warm-up match at Twickenham. The rivalry could also be resumed at the World Cup, if the two nations are drawn against each other in the quarter-finals.
“New Zealand are a tough team and they’ll never lose the aura around them,” said Smith. “This is going to be a hard match. There’s no doubt they’ll want to do well at home and win in front of their home crowd.”
“Personally, I believe it’s one of the biggest rivalries in rugby and the ultimate test for me as a player. The other top rugby nations are making a strong statement, but the history and rivalry of matches between the Springboks and All Blacks makes it such a big game to participate in.”
South Africa’s move away from Super Rugby means that the players haven’t been able to face each other as often, but Smith says that hasn’t dampened the intensity of the rivalry.
“You get to know the players better. It was a huge level of competition when we played in Super Rugby against each other. Now it is something else, getting to play once or twice a year against each other.
“I love playing against the All Blacks and always want to play against them because it always brings out the best in me. They are a really good side, so I am really looking forward to it.
“Ardie and I have played against each other at U20s, sevens, Super Rugby and international level. So for me, this is the game that I really want to play in every year.”
Saturday’s match will be played at Mount Smart, instead of Auckland’s more feared ground Eden Parks, where the All Blacks are unbeaten in 48 games.
“It may be a new venue, but the class of the rugby will remain the same,” said Smith. “It doesn’t matter where we play, it will always be a tough match against them.”
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