Rugby fans can expect a nerve-jangling thriller that goes down to the wire when the Springboks face the All Blacks on Saturday, SA back Willie le Roux says.
Recent games between these old foes have left fans on the edge of their seats and the opening Rugby Championship game in Mbombela promises to deliver more thrilling action.
With their confidence shaken after a shock home series defeat against Ireland, the All Blacks will come out with guns blazing at the Mbombela Stadium (kickoff 5.05pm).
“The Boks against the All Blacks is always a big game and it will be a nice challenge for us,” Le Roux said.
“If you look at the past four games between us, the match has been won or lost in the 80th minute.
“So we can expect nothing less than that again.
“If you are coming off a serious loss, the only thing to rectify that is to focus on your next game.
“I’m sure that is their plan to come to SA and give of their best.
“You expect nothing less from them because the All Blacks are a world-class team.
“The Boks are looking forward to a good challenge and to measure ourselves against them.”
The mercurial Le Roux said he had ways to deal with criticism that sometimes came his way while playing in the green and gold.
“Sometimes you play well and you get criticised and sometimes you play bad,” he said.
“I think that is just how supporters are.
“It means they care.
“If they don’t criticise anything, then you know they do not care.
“For me it is always about going out there and doing my best.
“Then I know I have the backing of the team, the coaching staff and everyone.
“At the end of the day, what they say matters — my family and the close ones.
“Sometimes you just have to take that and move on and do your best when you get an opportunity again.”
Le Roux did not think the Boks would enjoy a major advantage because they were kicking off the Rugby Championship on home soil.
“I would not say it is an advantage but it is nice paying at home at full stadiums where people can come and watch,” he said.
“Everyone is excited here in Mbombela to watch us and the All Blacks play.
“Playing in front of your home fans is always nice.
“You get that extra cheer and extra momentum going into the game.
“After our SA games, we go on to play Australia twice away.
“We are really looking forward to it and we have been training hard.”
Bok coach Jacques Nienaber says the All Blacks will be desperate to get back on the winning track.
“In the end, we’re all under pressure,” he said.
“If we were to lose two games in a row, we’d be under immense pressure too. It is what it is.
“The All Blacks will be desperate, but to be fair, the All Blacks are always desperate.
“They have a lot to play for, just like us.
“They’re playing for their nation, just like we do. We try to keep things realistic by focusing on what we can control.
“We can’t control how desperate they might be and what measures they have implemented to assist with that objective. We focus on our prep.”
HeraldLIVE
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