Rivalry between Springboks and New Zealand aims to attract international tourists to Gauteng

Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx stated that the team is preparing for a tough battle in scrums and cannot rely on past successes against the All Blacks.

The greatest rugby rivalry

The Springboks team is preparing for the All Blacks' onslaught in the scrums at Ellis Park stadium on Saturday, but they do not plan to rely on the results of previous encounters to defeat their opponents. According to experienced hooker Malcolm Marx, the team has prepared for the upcoming challenge in the first test match of the greatest rugby rivalry and intends to do everything possible to start the four-match series with a victory in Johannesburg.

Although Marx did not reveal many details before the match, the 32-year-old player emphasized the importance of a good start. Although the Boks dominated New Zealand in the scrums last year, Marx believes a serious battle awaits them. He noted: 'Last year is in the past, and we must focus on what lies ahead.'

Marx added that they know the All Blacks will put pressure on them during the scrum, and the team is working hard on this, but the opponents are doing the same. He stressed: 'We cannot rely on the past to win the game. We must ensure that our work over the last couple of weeks has been done to give us the best chance this weekend.'

Although team lineups have not yet been announced, Marx is likely to start the game in the world champions' squad and face All Blacks players such as Cody Taylor and Samisoni Taukeahaho. He believes they will present a serious challenge, whether in the scrums, in play after contact, or in ball possession.

He commented: 'They are all explosive, good in ball possession and defense, and obviously brilliant in set pieces. So, I think it will be a big challenge for our hookers this weekend. All three are really good. If I get a chance, I look forward to that opportunity.'

Marx also noted that preparation has not become more intensive, but the team approaches every test match the same way, regardless of the significance of the series. 'We know how important this weekend is, and we try to prepare accordingly. I don't think I will say how we will control the situation, but we are working hard on it. We conduct a lot of analysis to see where we can improve compared to previous games and study the threats they pose, for example, in play after contact, and see if we have opportunities. We have worked very hard, and we will see how this weekend goes.'

Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira, a 2019 Rugby World Cup champion and Monster Energy ambassador, shared his thoughts on the upcoming historic tour of the New Zealand 'All Blacks' to South Africa.

Mtawarira, who has a good understanding of neutralizing opponents, commented on the eight-match 'All Blacks' tour of South Africa. His analysis of the impending clash between the 'Springboks' and the 'All Blacks' is based not only on observations from the commentary box but also on the personal experience of the young man from Zimbabwe, who started his journey with little baggage and a gift from his father.

To maintain weight as an academy forward, he once ate five KFC Streetwise 2 meals in one sitting. And to pay rent, he used his growing physical fitness as a security guard at the One Stop club during match days at Kings Park stadium.

When asked about the current series, Mtawarira, who ended his international career over six years ago, gave a direct assessment of the upcoming confrontation between South Africa and the 'All Blacks'. He noted: 'I think it will be a massive contest. I am very interested that such a tour is happening for the first time in 30 years.'

Despite New Zealand going through a rebuilding phase under head coach Dave Rennie, Mtawarira expects the 'Springboks' to establish physical dominance in the middle of the field. However, he acknowledged the threat posed by the speed of the New Zealand backline.

He emphasized: 'That's where the All Blacks are likely to stumble, against our front line, although they are capable of playing at a very high tempo with a nimble backline that can make opponents run in circles.'

Mtawarira pointed out that high-tempo attacking play depends on ball possession, naming South African scrum and rolling maul as the main areas where the 'Springboks' will apply pressure and test the visitors. He stated: 'I think we can prepare for a huge battle, but I am convinced that the Springboks forwards have too much firepower.'

He added: 'Our forward pack will stun the All Blacks. We have an incredible group of forwards who can put us ahead in various ways.'

On the influence of home crowds on South Africa

Responding to questions about the influence of fans, Mtawarira spoke about the deep psychological respect for the 12-week tour. He compared the situation to the British and Irish Lions series in 2009. Mtawarira observed that when a visiting team stays in a country for more than a month, hostility gradually gives way to familiarity.

He noted: 'So they start to feel at home, and the crowd factor doesn't really matter, especially when it comes to the second or third test match.' He also recalled his matches at Ellis Park stadium against the 'All Blacks', noting that they could always win. 'I think they will adapt to the conditions or do whatever is necessary for good preparation.'

The final match in the USA

Mtawarira views the match in the USA as a sleeping giant, representing a major spectacle for a country actively preparing to host the 2031 Rugby World Cup. The culmination of the tour—the fourth test match—will take place on September 12, 2026, at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, which seats 70,000 spectators, symbolizing the modern commercialization of sport.

Although the arena is predicted to favor the visitors due to their rich history of matches in the States (such as their historical performances at Soldier Field), the strategic unpredictability of 'Springboks' head coach Rassie Erasmus will be crucial for the series. Despite the immense significance of this rivalry, Mtawarira suggests that a younger squad will be used for the final match, viewing it as a long-term chess move.

He stated: 'I think it will be an opportunity for a young man to truly shine, a chance to demonstrate his abilities and get into the squad that might be selected for the next World Cup.'

The feeling of the Haka

For Mtawarira, the emotional significance of international rugby is tied to the privilege of facing the Haka. He recalls a painful encounter with the 'All Blacks' in Newlands in 2008. Mtawarira recounted: 'I remember getting goosebumps. I was ready to die. I was ready to throw my body into the line because it meant so much to me, and I think their performance of the Haka charged us up even more.'

Unlike his early days in uniform, when experienced stars were favored, he assesses the current talent pool in the South African team. He noted: 'Only the depth, only the number of young players coming through the system. They pose a serious threat.'

Before the match as part of the 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry' tour against the DHL Stormers at DHL Stadium on August 7, the 'All Blacks' perform the Haka. Since the Rugby World Cup schedule yields to this historic event—the first extended 'All Blacks' tour of South Africa since 1996—Mtawarira's opinions serve as a rallying cry for his compatriots and a clear, intimidating warning to New Zealand: the South African front line awaits, is ready, and remains sharp. The series officially begins at Ellis Park stadium on Saturday, August 22, 2026.

After two matches on South African soil, the All Blacks showed the Springboks that they are ready to adapt to any challenges posed by the great rugby rivalry.

In the first match, the teams secured a tight victory over the Stormers in Cape Town. However, on Tuesday, they displayed a completely different level of play, achieving a convincing 54-0 victory over the Sharks in Durban, despite extremely difficult weather conditions.

This result highlighted the team's ability, under the guidance of Dave Rennie, to adapt to circumstances. Despite the rain and slippery surface, the team maintained its attacking potential and also demonstrated an ability to win using a more pragmatic approach.

These actions did not go unnoticed by the Springboks' head coach, Rassie Erasmus, and his coaching staff, who closely studied the All Blacks' game ahead of the first test match next Saturday at Ellis Park stadium.

In the wet conditions, New Zealand's attacking power was not suppressed; their passing game was particularly impressive, as they repeatedly found space behind the Sharks' defense. The team's ability to recognize opportunities and change tactics in difficult situations will be another warning for the world champions.

The third and final match against the United Rugby Championship team will take place on Saturday when the All Blacks face the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. This match presents a different challenge, as the altitude will test the visitors after they have faced contrasting conditions in Cape Town and Durban.

Loftus, located at an altitude of approximately 1,350 meters above sea level, will provide the All Blacks with a final test before traveling to Johannesburg for the first test match. If they can overcome the effects of altitude and show another convincing performance, the New Zealanders will conclude an impressive three-match cycle against top South African teams in the URC.

More importantly for the Springboks, the All Blacks demonstrated across three very different environments that they are not preparing for the great rivalry using only one style of play. Although they intend to dominate the Bokke through their polished technique and high-tempo style, they can easily switch to a more measured approach when the situation demands it.

Regardless of the conditions awaiting them at Ellis Park, Erasmus will know that they will likely be prepared after these three encounters.