AUDIO: 'The biggest game since the World Cup Final'
Springbok assistant coach Tony Brown said South Africa is preparing for the biggest challenge since the 2023 World Cup Final against New Zealand in France.
The former All Black was speaking about the crunch Rugby Championship encounter between the two countries at Eden Park in Auckland next Saturday, the first of two Tests in New Zealand.
The Springboks edged their arch rivals 12-11 in the Final of the global showpiece to clinch back-to-back World Cup titles and their fourth in the history of the competition.
However, the All Blacks last lost a Test match at their iconic Eden Park ground back in 1994, Brown expected the match-up to be another epic encounter.
The Springboks touched down in Auckland shortly before midnight on Wednesday and, after having a gym and recovery day on Thursday, they returned to the training field for the first time on Friday in the first of two training sessions this week, before they switch into full-out Test-match mode on Monday.
“I think it’s probably the biggest game since the World Cup Final, so the players are excited,” said Brown.
“The All Blacks are going to be desperate to win, and so will the Springboks, which should make for an amazing game.”
The Boks may have won their last four matches against the All Blacks, and although Brown said playing in their backyard was always a challenge, he said they were looking forward to the contest.
(LISTEN as former All Black flyhalf and now Springbok attack coach Tony Brown gives his view of the Eden Park crunch between New Zealand and South Africa…..)
“The feeling in the camp is mainly excitement,” he said.
“The Eden Park record is on the line, and it’s an amazing opportunity for us to go out there and take on the challenge.”
The former All Black flyhalf said the margins in the competition were very small, especially with all four participating teams having won a match in the first two rounds, but he was hopeful that they could take a step forward in their campaign on this tour.
“Every Test is important in the Rugby Championship, and it’s always going to come down to one or two games, so hopefully we can win the key ones and make a push in New Zealand, and return to South Africa with some points on the board,” said Brown.
Asked what the team had to do to break their hoodoo at Eden Park, where the Boks last defeated the All Blacks in 1937, Brown said: “We have to make sure we prepare well, be excited about the challenge, put our best foot forward on the day, and play as hard as we can when we get onto the field.”
Brown was pleased with the way the team had settled in, in New Zealand since arriving at their hotel in the early hours of Thursday morning and said there was a good vibe in the camp.
“The team travelled well,” said Brown.
“Obviously, the first couple of days (after the long journey) are all about recovery and starting to get our plans together to get ready to take on the All Blacks.”
