Veteran All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor is psyching himself up to face powerhouse Springbok rival Joseph Dweba when the sides battle at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Dweba will start the Rugby Championship showdown against New Zealand after Bongi Mbonambi withdrew on Wednesday due to a knock in training.
Taylor, who returns to the bench, was asked by reporters on Thursday in Johannesburg what the Kiwis can expect from Dweba at the weekend: “He’s a solidly built bugger! I’ve seen from afar the explosive man that he is, he’s obviously a big unit.
“Pretty impressed with the way he goes about things on the field, so I know he’ll be looking forward to this opportunity and getting to run out there.
“I had a talk with him a couple of weeks ago about him hopefully getting a crack so it’s good to see that he is.”
MORE: Boks play mind games with All Blacks
The Boks thumped New Zealand in Nelspruit last week and the world champions are looking to extend the All Blacks’ misery at Ellis Park, the scene of many memorable battles between the old rivals.
Taylor said: “It’s just two proud rugby nations going head to head combined with mutual respect for the way that South Africa and the All Blacks play. There’s always good relationships built off the back of those games.
“But once you’re out there it’s all go… you’re giving everything you can because the Saffas aren’t small and that’s what it takes if you want to win over here.”
KEO: Now the boot’s on the other foot, Boks must be ruthless against All Blacks
Loosehead prop Ethan de Groot will play his first Test at the iconic ground after being promoted to the run-on side.
“It’s going to be a helluva challenge. If you told me five weeks ago when I was strapping up at Rugby Park down in Southland that I’ll be starting in Ellis Park I probably would’ve told you to get lost,” he said.
“But I’m super excited and grateful for the opportunity. I remember the big rivalries and close games the Boks and All Blacks have had, and obviously the Boks being a big, big pack.”
On what 24-year-old De Groot can expect playing at Ellis Park, 69-Test cap Taylor warned: “The first two minutes will be absolutely heaving because of the altitude, and just the arena itself. It’s an intense place to play, but also the best place to play in the world.
“There’s some awesome history at Ellis Park and I definitely have fond memories of running in the black jersey there.”
KEO: Super Springboks must bury All Blacks at Ellis Park
Photo: @Springboks/Twitter
