Springboks, All Blacks to fly to USA together as three Bok stars return
INTERVIEW: The Springboks have received a timely injury boost ahead of the fourth and final Test of the Greatest Rivalry series.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed that Handré Pollard, Grant Williams and Canan Moodie will all travel to the United States and be available for selection in Baltimore.
The trio will join the squad when it departs on a charter flight to Baltimore on Sunday – a unique journey that the Springboks will share with the All Blacks just days after the third Test at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
Erasmus said all three players are expected to be fit for next weekend’s series finale.
“Handré, Grant Williams and Canan Moodie will be on the plane to Baltimore.
“They’ll be ready for selection next week.”
Pollard has been sidelined with a calf injury, paving the way for Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu to start at flyhalf, with Manie Libbok providing cover from the bench.
Williams has recovered well from the grade one hamstring injury he suffered in the opening Test defeat at Ellis Park, while Moodie is also back after missing recent matches with the hamstring injury he picked up against Argentina.
A historic stop in Baltimore
The fourth Test will be played at M&T Bank Stadium, home of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, marking the first time South Africa and New Zealand meet on American soil.
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Erasmus said the players are excited by the opportunity to take one of rugby’s greatest rivalries to a new audience.
“It’s an exciting thing for us. We love taking rugby to people.
“Whenever I’ve been there, it’s a great experience.”
The Bok coach said playing in an NFL stadium would not change the team’s preparation.
“We play in stadiums all over the world. The field is still 70 metres by 100 metres.
“It’s something different for us to experience, and for the people who can get tickets to see the players in person. We’re really looking forward to it.”
Rivals on the same plane
One of the more unusual aspects of the trip is that the Springboks and All Blacks will travel together on the same charter flight to the United States.
Erasmus said it always makes for an interesting experience after such an intense rivalry on the field.
“It’s kind of a weird thing to do,” he explained, adding “We fly on the same charter on Sunday, us and New Zealand on the same plane.
“Yesterday we were coming hard at each other and now we’re sitting on a plane together for 12 or 15 hours.”
He joked that it creates some awkward moments for the coaches, who end up sitting close to one another after spending the previous day trying to outsmart each other.
“It’s an interesting experience, but recovery is going to be important. It’s the same for both teams.”
