An opportunity to play your first game at Eden Park against the top-ranked All Blacks in front of a sell-out 50,000 crowd will be a huge occasion and one to savour, Bok star Cheslin Kolbe said.
Adding extra spice to an already momentous showdown is the statistic that the Boks are bidding to bust a hoodoo of not winning at the venue since 1937.
The Bok flyer is expected to be included in SA’s starting line-up when the team is named on Thursday.
“For me, every opportunity you get to play against New Zealand is massive,” Kolbe said.
“I think it’s the same for every other player, playing against the No 1 team in the world.
“And that’s what you want to come up against and measure yourself as an individual and a team.
“I haven’t played at Eden Park before, but I’ve heard many great talks and memories of those who’ve been here, so I’m super excited to play if that opportunity does come this weekend.”
Kolbe said the history surrounding Saturday’s battle will not have an influence on the outcome.
“The past is the past; you can’t read anything into that. You just need to stay in what’s currently happening,” he said.
“There’s a lot that can change within a season…. We’ve learnt a lot until now and that’s exactly how we see this game.
“Whoever gets the opportunity to wear the green and gold jersey on Saturday needs to make sure they grab the opportunity.
“They must go out there and express themselves and enjoy the occasion.
“If I’m part of the selected group to play on Saturday, it’ll be an unbelievable opportunity and experience.
“But for me, it’s simple because I’m just focused on what’s in front of me and I’m taking it day by day and practice session by practice session and just taking good confidence into the weekend.
“A lot can change in a season, and the main things for us is to continue improving and developing as a team.”
Bok loose forward Marco van Staden said it would be a special Test in front of a huge crowd.
“Every Test is a big match for us, but this is a big occasion and we are preparing as best we can. This is a special Test at a special place,” he said.
“It’s a significant stadium for the All Blacks, so anything we can learn from players who have faced New Zealand a few times away in the past, we’ll definitely take to heart.”
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus said he had delayed naming his team until Thursday to keep the All Blacks guessing.
“Yeah, it’s a tough one for us and that’s why I was honest in saying that’s why we’re only announcing our team on Thursday,” he said.
“The All Blacks are a team that thoroughly analyses player profiles and teams and we are very unsure of what team they will put out.
“I guess one can look at the injury list and think they might be in some trouble, but we also have a lot of unavailable guys.
“There will be a bit of an unknown in both teams going into this match, and I guess by only announcing it on Thursday it’s a little more evened out.”
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