VIDEO: Kwagga on 'massive' Eden Park challenge
Springbok loose forward Kwagga Smith has an interesting take on his team’s important two-Test trip to new Zealand.
The Boks will travel to Aotearoa on Tuesday.
It will be their first Test at Eden Park since 2013, when they face their arch-rivals on September 6, followed by a rematch on September 13 at the Wellington Regional Stadium.
South Africa’s last victory against the All Blacks at Eden Park occurred all the way back in 1937 when they won 17-6.
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There will be plenty on the line for both sides.
New Zealand currently hold a win ratio of 50 consecutive Tests over 30 years at the iconic stadium, and the Boks have a chance to create history and break their streak.
With all teams having won a match thus far in the tournament, and bonus points separating the four sides, a win will be crucial for the Boks to give their title defence a boost and will also ensure that they retain the Freedom Cup for another season.
There is also a chance for the Boks to reclaim the No.1 World Ranking after dropping down to third place following the loss at Ellis Park to the Wallabies.
Smith said their two Tests against the Wallabies have prepared them well for their tour of New Zealand, as they’ll take the lessons from both matches to be better against the All Blacks.
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“It’s a massive game for us to face the All Blacks at Eden Park.
“Even when we lost that other game in Auckland [at Mount Smart Stadium in 2023], it was also disappointing, and we didn’t play well.
“For us, it’s all about taking the learnings from the first Australian game and the ones from this game [the Cape Town Test] and taking it into the Eden Park match.
“It will be a tough game. New Zealand is a great opponent, but for us it’s about trying to get better with each game and taking the confidence [from it] and learn from each match to get better.”
