Willie le Roux says the Springboks are ready for a massive onslaught from the All Blacks in the Republic when the old rivals clash over the coming weeks in the Rugby Championship.
The world champion Boks face the embattled All Blacks at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday, and then again at Ellis Park a week later.
Jacques Nienaber’s men, who arrived in Nelspruit on Friday, will enter the competition with a series victory against Wales under their belt, while Ian Foster and the All Blacks have touched down in South Africa off the back of a shock 2-1 defeat to Ireland in New Zealand.
The perception is that the two Tests against the struggling Kiwis could serve as the ideal opportunity for the Boks to kick off the tournament with a bang, before travelling to Australia and Argentina, and then returning home to face Los Pumas in Durban.
Le Roux, though, has warned that the All Blacks pose a dangerous threat for the Boks, even on home soil. “I wouldn’t say it [the Boks’ Rugby Championship draw] is an advantage,” he said.
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“Obviously, we are excited to play at home in front of our supporters in Nelspruit and Johannesburg, and then we have a tour against Australia and Argentina before coming back home for our last Test, so it’s going to be a good challenge for us.
“Matches between the Springboks and All Blacks are always big games, and it is one of the biggest rivalries in world rugby. The fact they come off defeats against Ireland will inspire them even more going into the next few games. I have no doubt they will come here and give their best.
“They will be desperate to beat us in South Africa and we need to show them the same desperation. Our games with the All Blacks are always frantic affairs, and [lately] they always go down to the 80th minute, and that is when you see who wants it the most.
“They’ll definitely want to turn things around, so the important things for us will be to show who we are and to ensure that we do not disappoint our fans.”
Le Roux, who has 74 Test caps to his name and is one of the more experienced players in the squad, reckons the Kiwis will be looking to rectify the mistakes they made in their last few Tests against the Boks.
“But we intend to give our best, and we know the matches will not be a disappointment for anyone,” he added.
With Damian Willemse now a regular feature in the Bok match-day 23 and an exciting option at fullback, flyhalf and centre, Le Roux has found himself in the unfamiliar role of Bomb Squad member on the bench.
Yet, the similarly versatile and experienced 2019 World Cup winner is delighted with the younger backline star’s rise, and is quick to downplay their relationship as purely mentor and protégé.
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“Being a part of the Bomb Squad is something new for me. [In the series against Wales] it was funny, a different feeling,” Le Roux said.
“My task is to bring energy to the field and uplift the players around me, so I enjoyed it.
“I just want to give my best every time I’m on the field, and I know I have the support of the coaching staff, my teammates and everyone else on the field.”
“I wouldn’t say I am a mentor to Damian,” he added. “We are in the same team, and we learn from one another. I’m still learning from him and Warrick [Gelant] as well, just as they do from me.
“That said, Damian and I have a good connection and we also come from the school [Paul Roos Gymnasium].”
Photo: Ntombela/BackpagePix
