VIDEO: All Black 'embracing' his South African roots
All Black flyer Mark Tele’a promises to ‘entertain’ when he fronts up to the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday.
South Africa and New Zealand go head-to-head in the first of back-to-back Rugby Championship encounters that could decide the destiny of the tournament’s silverware.
Having travelled with the Blues for a Super Rugby tour, the 27-year-old tasted the Loftus Versfeld and Newlands stadium turfs.
However, Ellis Park, in the birth city of his father, will be foreign territory to him.
Asked about his South African roots – he qualified for three countries as his father is South African, while his mother is Samoan and was born in Auckland – Tele’a said he would embrace his extraordinary background.
He said his South African connection is important to him.
“I’m trying to find that connection on my journey,” he said.
Turning to the game, a rematch of the 2023 World Cup Final which the Springboks won 12-11, he said both teams are ultra-competitive.
South Africa recorded back-to-back bonus-point wins over Australia in the opening rounds of the Rugby Championship – sitting on 10 points in the standings, a five-point lead over second-placed arch-rivals New Zealand.
(WATCH as All Black flyer Mark Tele’a promises to ‘entertain’ against the Springboks at Ellis Park….)
“They showed their dominance,” he told a media scrum at the team’s training base, adding: “We [the All Blacks] are still looking to stack good performances together.
“We are looking forward to the challenge.”
Even though 13 players will appear on South African soil for the first time, Tele’a believes they have enough experience to cope with the challenge of playing on the Highveld for the first time.
“You want the young players to come through, and enjoy their journey, while embracing the coaches and the experience.
“It is always tough playing a team back-to-back – the opposition gets a feel of you and then the second game is tougher.
“I recommend that you come to the game and enjoy it.
“It is going to be exciting.”
Tele’a, born in Auckland, is a powerful wing that has proved to be a menace for any team he faces – standing 186 centimetres tall and weighing in at 94kg, beating defenders and breaking lines seemingly at will.
He rose to prominence out of the West Auckland Massey club.
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