Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Pieter-Steph du Toit have spoken with genuine enthusiasm about the Castle Double Malt Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series ahead of Saturday's opening Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
Du Toit, who will earn his 99th cap on Saturday, drew comparisons between the four-Test format and the most high-stakes rugby the Springboks face. Stick was equally direct: "The closest thing to the Greatest Rivalry in terms of a series where every game counts is probably the British & Irish Lions series, or the knockout stages of the World Cup."
Both men warned against underestimating New Zealand. "The All Blacks are in a good space and have been playing very well," said Stick, while stressing the Boks' own desire to keep evolving. "It doesn't get tougher than playing against the All Blacks four weeks in a row, and we are excited about it."
Du Toit placed particular weight on the Ellis Park venue, citing its atmosphere and its place in Springbok history. "It's close to my heart. When you stand there and sing the anthem and see the supporters behind the Springboks, it's unbelievable. And of course, the 1995 Rugby World Cup was won there as well."
Much of the pre-match focus has settled on Damian de Allende, who becomes only the 10th Springbok to reach 100 Test caps on Saturday, joining team-mates Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi in that exclusive group. Stick was forthright about what the milestone means: "For a guy like Damian de Allende, who has been with us through the ups and downs, and had to cope with a lot of people saying he wasn't good enough to play for the Springboks — in our camp, we always knew what a man he is and the value he adds. He does the dirty work without anyone seeing it."
Du Toit, who first encountered De Allende during his Stormers days, offered his own tribute: "I still remember the first time I watched him at the Stormers. He played on the wing and I just saw this beast in the way he carried the ball and his work on defence. I have so much respect for him, the way he carries himself on and off the field."
On facing the haka, Du Toit echoed sentiments expressed earlier in the week by head coach Rassie Erasmus, noting that assistant coach Tony Brown has deepened the squad's understanding of what the ritual means — both to the All Blacks and to those who stand opposite it.