Boks ready for breakdown battle
Loose forward Kwagga Smith emphasised the significance of securing possession when the Springboks and All Blacks lock horns in the World Cup final on Saturday.
Loose forward Kwagga Smith emphasised the significance of securing possession when the Springboks and All Blacks lock horns in the World Cup final on Saturday.
Handre Pollard and Faf de Klerk are the only two changes to the Springbok XV, with a return to a 7-1 bench, to face the All Blacks in the World Cup final on Saturday.
Willie le Roux insisted that the Springboks would not underestimate the All Blacks when the two teams square off in the World Cup final in Paris on Saturday.
Victor Matfield has backed the Springboks to return to their physically imposing selves in the World Cup final after two draining playoff matches.
As the Boks prepare to face the All Blacks in a rematch of the 1995 World Cup final, relive the glory of the day Francois Pienaar’s men beat the old foe to lift the Webb Ellis Cup on home soil.
The Springboks and All Blacks both recovered from pool defeats to claim playoff wins over World Cup favourites Ireland and France on their way to the final.
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell have backed New Zealand to beat South Africa and claim a record fourth World Cup title on Saturday.
New Zealand are eager to unleash their own version of the Springboks’ famed Bomb Squad and “get into the trenches” in the World Cup final, says All Blacks flank Dalton Papali’i.
Forwards coach Jason Ryan said New Zealand have a plan to “take some gas” out of the Springboks’ substitutes when the teams clash in the World Cup final on Saturday.
Keo and Zels decompress after South Africa’s high-pressure win against England, and look ahead to a blockbuster final against the All Blacks.