Canan Moodie says the backing of fellow Springbok wings Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse has primed him for an aerial assault against Argentina on Saturday.
Moodie will make his second start of the year when the Springboks take on Los Pumas in a World Cup warm-up match in Buenos Aires.
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The 20-year-old has taken the No 14 jersey from Kolbe, who has been rested in South Africa, and will form the outside back combination with Damian Willemse and Makazole Mapimpi. Vodacom Bulls teammate Arendse will provide support as a substitute.
With Argentina set to recall star fullback Emiliano Boffelli, it has put Moodie on his toes as he prepares to be pressured under the high ball.
Is the Buenos Aires Bok side akin to sending the Lions to play the Jaguares? @mark_keohane and Zels discuss. pic.twitter.com/wW2g8mEvZM
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) August 3, 2023
“It’s Test match rugby, so anyone would expect that,” said Moodie. “We’ve done our analysis and Kurt-Lee and Cheslin have told me about what Argentina’s kicking game is like.
“Fortunately for me, those guys played against Argentina last week so they got a bit of a feel for it. Kurt-Lee is here with us, so they gave me a nice insight and info on how they contest in the air, for example, and how we can chase and receive kicks.
“So I think that will help me a lot with my preparation for the week. It helps with how we can identify space and play into it.”
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Saturday’s match will provide Moodie with a final audition to gun for a place in the 33-man World Cup squad, which will be named on Tuesday, 8 August.
“I’m not nervous at all,” he said. “Whatever happens, happens. I am just focused on making the most of the opportunity I have this weekend.
“We still have the opportunity to fire a shot and hopefully put our names in the squad. So for me, it’s about using the opportunity I have on Saturday to play.”
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