Div wants more PE Tests

The All Blacks may have received a rousing welcome upon arrival in Port Elizabeth, but the locals are also warming to the Springboks in the lead-up to Saturday’s sell-out Tri-Nations Test at the Nelson Mandela Stadium.

Much has been made of the enormous local support for the New Zealand team, with some fans openly stating they are still supporting the Kiwis because of South Africa’s apartheid past.

However, Bok coach feels that if the Boks visit the region more often for internationals they can win the people over.

De Villiers said he was “ashamed” that fans in the Eastern Cape did not see the national team more frequently.

“It makes one feel guilty when you experience the hospitality here in PE,” said De Villiers.

“It is clear that the people want to associate with the Springboks.

“I just hope that we will do more to give the Springboks exposure here.”

The Bok coach warned that the All Blacks were fielding a strong team for this weekend’s clash, South Africa’s last official match before the World Cup, despite making 11 changes to their side.

“It may sound like a lot of changes, but those players were the ones they used last year on their tour in Britain, so I’m sure the New Zealanders know what they are doing,” he said.

“They have named [Colin] Slade at flyhalf, and we don’t expect the All Blacks’ game to change too much because he’s in the same mould as [Dan] Carter.”

Bryan Habana said he and fellow Springbok wing JP Petersen had a special task to perform on Saturday, since they had not played with newcomer Patrick Lambie who was set to start at fullback.

“Lambie is a special talent and he’ll be around in South African rugby for a long time,” said Habana.

“But JP and I have never played in the back three with Lambie so we have to make sure that we work as a unit.

“We’ve got to help him and make him as comfortable as possible.”

SAPA