VIDEO: Kolisi wants 'composed' Boks in Cake Tin
South Africa approached Saturday’s Rugby Championship Round Four face-off with New Zealand like any other Test, despite the obvious additional pressure of a ‘must-win’ game.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi said turning up the heat might distract his teammates and that they must be calm and collected in Wellington’s Cake Tin.
The Bok skipper, who will earn his 96th Test cap and 64th as captain, admitted there are some similarities between this match and playing a World Cup Final.
However, he wants his team to ‘keep their wits about them’.
“We know how much pressure there is already,” Kolisi told @rugby365com, about the Boks’ desperation to keep their Rugby Championship challenge alive.
“There is no need to add any more [pressure].
“Nothing has been done, out of the norm, that hasn’t been done before.”
Kolisi said the desire to win will never diminish in the Bok team, but it is also important for the younger players to have a good crack at the All Blacks.
“It’s going to be an intense match and will be important for us to keep calm and composed, which is almost the same as one would expect in a World Cup Final,” Kolisi said.
“There’s enough motivation to win this game, so our preparation is the same as it would be for every Test match.
“We have high standards, and we want to deliver a good performance that our country and supporters can be proud of.”
(WATCH as Springbok captain Siya Kolisi previews the Rugby Championship face-off with the All Blacks…..)
Kolisi played down the suggestions that the new-look backline may ‘lack experience’ against a wily All Black team.
“Gaza [inside centre Damian Willemse] won two World Cups,” Kolisi said, adding: “People are looking at it as if this is a group of youngsters who have just been thrown in.
“There’s a good mixture of players in this team.
“Most of the guys have played here before, so it’s not as though it is a completely new team.
“It is a thing in this team that every person will get an opportunity.
“They have not been thrown in to learn, we are going out to win.
“It is a strong pack of forwards who have a lot of experience.
“I’m keen to see this side in action, and I think some of the new faces will bring a different skillset to the match, which is exciting.”
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick echoed similar sentiments, saying most of the players in the rejigged backline have been in the system for years, with the one notable exception being wing Ethan Hooker.
“We think they are a good combination,” Stick said.
“They understand how we want to play the game.
“We are so used to seeing certain players in our backline, but we can’t always rely on the same individuals.
“I’m excited to see them get their opportunity.”
@king365ed
@rugby365com
