Kanan Moody, a player for the Springbok team, issued a warning to Scotland ahead of the Nations Cup match scheduled for Saturday at Loftus. He emphasized that the sign installed in the Loftus Versfeld tunnel, alerting guests to Pretoria's altitude, is well-founded.
The impact of altitude and game tactics
The sign states: 'Altitude. 1 350 m. This is important,' and Moody believes the Boks team should utilize this home-field advantage during the Nations Cup match. The Boks team has been in high-altitude conditions for the last six weeks, whereas the Scots arrived on Tuesday from Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, which is at sea level.
Moody noted that altitude is a real factor, but it also depends on the playing style. He stated that it is necessary to ensure that the visitors feel the effect of the altitude through the pressure exerted by their game plan. Moody, who has played for the Bulls for four years, added that the team must behave very confrontationally and apply pressure on the opponent in every aspect so they feel that the altitude matters. According to him, by the end of the game, the opponents should realize they were playing against a South African team.
History of team confrontations
Moody also stressed that Loftus is a fortress they aim to defend, and this reputation applies to both the Bulls and the Springboks, who have a rich history in that venue. Moody and his teammates know many Scottish players well, as they regularly meet them in the United Rugby Championship. He mentioned that many players from the Scottish national team represent Glasgow Warriors, and some Bulls players participated in the URC semi-final between Warriors and Bulls, which the Bulls won in Edinburgh.
