Former Springbok captain Corné Krige says Rassie Erasmus’ team has the same aura of invincibility that once surrounded the great All Blacks sides.
The back-to-back world champions beat Six Nations champions France 32-17 in Paris last Saturday despite playing the entire second half with 14 men. They have won nine out of 11 Tests this year, with matches against Italy, Ireland and Wales to come.
“The Boks are like the All Blacks of old who believe they cannot lose these days,” Krige told Netwerk24. “Even on Saturday when they had 14 players on the field in the second half, it never seemed like there was panic in the Boks’ ranks.
“It’s great to play in a team with so much confidence, but it’s not nice to face an opponent who believes they are invincible.”
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Next up for the Boks is an Azzurri side that upset the Wallabies 26-19 last weekend.
“It’s incredible how much Italian rugby has improved,” said Krige, who led the Boks to a 101-0 win over Italy in Durban in 1999. “Their participation in the Six Nations since 2000 has obviously played a big role.
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“Their rugby has also benefited from the number of overseas players now playing there. On Saturday, they had two Australian wings – Monty Ioane and Louis Lynagh – and that has undoubtedly strengthened them.”
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