Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick says his players won’t be weighed down by the past when they face the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday.
The Boks are chasing their first win at the Auckland fortress since 1937, with the All Blacks unbeaten in 50 matches there since 1994.
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Stick dismissed talk that South Africa’s long drought at Eden Park will play any role in their preparations.
“I don’t think the history has that much impact on us,” he said on Friday. “Out of the group of players we’ve got now, only three guys have played here before, so that history doesn’t count to us. What matters is what’s going to happen tomorrow.
“They take a lot of pride in their history and their legacy at this stadium, but for us, the legacy is in the Springbok jersey. We have to make sure we protect it and represent our country with pride and dignity.
“If you want to win the competition [Rugby Championship], you have to beat the best, and there’s no better team to play than the All Blacks in New Zealand.”
The Boks arrived in Auckland early to adjust to the time difference and ensure a smooth build-up. Stick said the coaching staff were careful to balance preparation with recovery.
“One of the key things was to make sure we acclimatised properly,” he explained. “It’s a crazy 10-hour difference, so we wanted the players to get recovery in first before building into training.
“We’ve got a very experienced S&C department and we trust them to make sure the guys are ready. The vibe in Auckland has been great – everyone is talking about this game – but for us the focus has been on making sure we’re ready.”
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Photo:: Hannah Peters/Getty Images
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