Bok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick says the promotion of Richie Mo’unga to start for the All Blacks at the expense of Beauden Barrett makes New Zealand more formidable this week.
The Boks won the first of two back-to-back Tests against New Zealand in Nelspruit last week when the world champions registered a 26-10 victory – their second-biggest winning margin against the All Blacks.
“It would be great to become one of the best Springbok teams,” said captain Siya Kolisi, who will lead the Boks at Ellis Park against a New Zealand outfit that travelled to the Highveld having now lost five of their past six Test matches.
“None of the coaches and players have been in this situation before to possibly beat New Zealand in back-to-back Tests at home, so we just want to go out there and give it our all on Saturday.”
KEO: Now the boot’s on the other foot, Boks must be ruthless against All Blacks
For most of the current Bok squad and coaches, it will be the first time they are playing back-to-back home Tests against their arch-rivals, yet Kolisi says it would take nothing but a top-drawer effort to thump the All Blacks two matches on the trot as the visitors are desperate to save face.
He said: “We had a look at last week’s game, but we cannot dwell on that result too long. New Zealand are a very good team, and they are one performance away from turning things around.
“From our side, we had a good review of last week’s game, and we feel there is a lot we can still improve on.”
The knives are out for All Blacks coach Ian Foster, who could be out of a job if New Zealand lose on Saturday, but Bok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick is wary of the desperate Kiwis.
WATCH: No escape from ‘Alcatraz’ for All Blacks
Stick added: “The All Blacks are a world-class side, and with Richie Mo’unga at flyhalf they will be even more dangerous. He can mix up his game with kicking and running, so he will bring something different to the team.
“We know for a fact that we can’t switch off for a moment against them because they have world-class players that can punish you. It is going to be a massive challenge, and we have to be at the top of our game to beat them.”
“In my lifetime in the Bok team it is the first time we will be playing back-to-back Tests against the All Blacks at home, and we know it is going to be a massive challenge, but we’ll give everything to do well. We have a massive tour ahead, but we don’t want to look too far ahead.
“Ellis Park is a big venue for both teams. I certainly will never forget the Rugby World Cup final in 1995 with Nelson Mandela in attendance and Joel Stransky’s drop-goal.
“The big factor for us, however, is to keep building and hopefully we can do that, and the scoreboard will take care of itself.”
KEO: Super Springboks must bury All Blacks at Ellis Park
Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images/Getty Images