VIDEO: 'I can't begin to imagine the magnitude of the occasion'
Eden Park in Auckland is a first for many Springboks.
In fact, only three – Eben Etzebeth, Willie le Roux and Siya Kolisi – featured when South Africa last appeared at the spiritual home of New Zealand rugby.
Etzebeth and Le Roux started in the Boks’ last visit, a 15-29 loss in September 2013, while Kolisi played off the bench.
Springbok utility back Canan Moodie, who has a 100 percent record against the All Blacks, is ready to make the most of his first visit to the iconic venue.
His first win over the All Blacks was in a World Cup warm-up match at Twickenham in August 2023 (a record 35-7 margin), and the other face-off with the Haka was 18-12 squeaker in Cape Town September last year.
“I can’t begin to imagine the magnitude of the occasion,” he said in the build-up to the Rugby Championship Round Three encounter between New Zealand and South Africa.
“As a young boy I used the get up early in the morning and to possibly part of it is something special.
“For me, as a player, it is very exciting to be part of such a big occasion.”
The Eden Park factor, where the All Blacks have been unbeaten in 50 Tests since 1994, has been a voluminous topic of discussion in the build-up to Saturday’s face-off.
(WATCH as Springbok flyer Canan Moodie talks about the magnitude of facing the All Blacks at Eden Park.….)
“It’s intimidating playing in Auckland and especially at Eden Park,” he said, adding: “Given the magnitude of this match and the All Blacks have a lot to play for.
“There is their record at Eden Park [where the Boks have not won since 1937] and Ardie Savea’s 100th Test, which means there is a lot on the line for them.
“The pressure of the game will be there.
“We are focused on the job we need to do on Saturday and the external factors we take on board.
“However, the game is important for us as well, and we’ll go out there and give everything to get the result [win].”
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