Peter-Steph du Toit will lead the Springboks team for the fourth time this season during the first match of the greatest rugby rivalry against the All Blacks. Despite his extensive experience with the Springboks, du Toit admits that the prospect of facing the All Blacks at Ellis Park stadium causes him excitement, even before his 99th test match.
Du Toit believes these nerves should be embraced rather than suppressed, especially considering he is preparing to captain the team for the fourth time this season due to Siya Kolisi's injury. He shared his thoughts on the significance of this confrontation.
The Greatest Rugby Rivalry
Before the start of the first match of the greatest rugby rivalry in Johannesburg, du Toit stated: 'When I was a little boy, my biggest dream was to stand there, especially at Ellis Park, in a Springbok jersey, facing New Zealand and the Haka.' He continued that as one gets older, the main dream is to keep doing it, because once that disappears, it will be impossible to do it again.
He added that he is currently trying to do everything possible to keep this dream alive, bring value, and contribute to the team, hoping for success on Saturday. Admitting his state, he said: 'Am I nervous? Yes, always.'
For du Toit, Ellis Park is one of the most significant places in South African rugby, where the historical weight cannot be ignored. He noted: 'It is an amazing stadium for us, especially for the Springboks, and it is very close to my heart.' He described the atmosphere, saying that 'if you stand there, sing the anthem, and see the fans supporting the Springboks, it is incredible.' He also emphasized the historical importance of the venue, mentioning that the 1995 World Cup was won there, making it special for the country.
The significance of the event is amplified by the launch of a four-match series against the All Blacks, which has generated huge interest on both sides of Tasmania. Du Toit, who has played against New Zealand many times, noted that the players are aware of the scale of this series. He stated: 'This is the first time I have participated in such a tournament, especially with New Zealand and South Africa.' He called it a 'huge privilege' to play against them again, especially at Ellis Park, and admitted that it is impossible not to know about the upcoming series, its noise, and the preparation.
Du Toit also noted that the South African fans and rugby in general will benefit from this tournament, but the main task remains the match on Saturday, which they are preparing for. He expects the All Blacks to demonstrate their signature intensity and speed, considering set pieces critically important. He warned: 'We know New Zealand will bring intensity, and we believe we will have to perform well in the outswings and scrums.' He concluded that since the opponents are fast and skilled players, they will try to exploit this, so the team needs to remain vigilant and not make mistakes.