The Springboks enter Saturday's third Test against the All Blacks at Soccer City acutely aware of what a New Zealand win would mean for the narrative of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series. With the four-match contest locked at 1-1, assistant coach Mzandile Stick used Friday's captain's press conference to frame the home leg in precise terms.
"If you listen to their media, if they win tomorrow they will claim that they've beaten South Africa 2-1 in South Africa," Stick said. "So they will own the rights. We are well aware of what is their motivation in this game."
The All Blacks have won a series on South African soil only once — in 1996, when they took the competition 2-1 — and Stick made clear the Springboks intend to keep that record intact. He also underlined the series implications beyond the home leg: "The team that's going to win tomorrow has got a better chance to win the competition when you go to the US. The team that loses tomorrow won't win the competition. They can only play to draw."
The series concludes in Baltimore next weekend.
Kolisi struck a more personal note, framing the Soweto venue in the context of South Africa's democratic history. "To be thankful for the people that come from there and fought for me and him to be sitting here today — it's a way for us to say thank you because we know there are so many that fought for the freedom that we have today." The captain also spoke of the supporters who line the streets during the team bus journey, including those who cannot afford tickets.
On the individual milestone front, a win would see Kolisi move to 55 Test victories as captain, surpassing Jon Smith's South African record of 54, though Kolisi was dismissive of the personal significance. "The amount of wins as captain is team stuff. I always say it's a team achievement."
Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese will also set a new record as the Springboks' longest-serving loose forward combination, going past the 17 Tests that Kolisi, Du Toit and Duane Vermeulen shared together.
Kickoff at Soccer City is at 17:10.