VIDEO: Twickenham tiff will be 'war'
“When South Africa plays New Zealand, consider your country at war.”
The phrase was coined by legendary Springbok forward Boy Louw, a man who played in all the forward positions for his country during his 18 Test appearances in the late 1920s and early 1930s.
He uttered the celebrated expression to the Bok team prior to a Test against New Zealand in 1949.
Current Bok hard man Eben Etzebeth subscribes to the same hypothesis.
Speaking to the media ahead of their final World Cup warm-up match, against the All Blacks at Twickenham on Friday, Etzebeth said in will be a ‘full-blooded’ international.
They will hold nothing back, despite the obvious danger of injuries on the eve of the World Cup.
“[We are] playing for our country, in a Springbok jersey – even though it is a neutral ground – against South Africa’s biggest rival, the All Blacks,” the 112-times capped lock said.
“It is a Test, the Springboks against the All Blacks.
“We are going to give our all to win the match.
“We’ll worry about the World Cup after this game.
“If things go well for us, it could also give us confidence going into the World Cup.”
Etzebeth said South Africa needs to be ‘switched on’ from the outset.
(WATCH as Springbok veteran Eben Etzebeth explains why they will leave nothing in the tank in their face-off against the All Blacks at Twickenham on Friday…)
The Springboks were caught cold when they last played the All Blacks in a Rugby Championship encounter in Auckland back in July, with New Zealand racing into an early 17-0 lead in Auckland before winning 35-20.
“They got out the blocks with a massive start, so we will have to ensure we have a quick start [on Friday],” the 31-year-old second row forward said.
“One of the main lessons we learned was to be switched on from the start against them.
“In the first 20 minutes of the last match, they were the better team on the field, so it’s important that we have a stronger start.”
The 112-times capped Bok said they pride themselves on their set pieces and defence, but need to improve on their kicking game from last month’s humbling loss.
The Boks launch their RWC title defence against Scotland on Sunday, September 10, in Marseille.
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