Lions captain Franke Horn will face the All Blacks on Tuesday evening, thirty years after his father, Francois, did so.
The Main Rugby Rivalry
Franke Horn hopes to surpass his father, Francois, when he plays against the All Blacks at Ellis Park stadium on Tuesday evening. The senior Horn, a former provincial fullback, played for Boland XV against the All Blacks during their last tour of South Africa in 1996. The match took place at Esselen Park and was very tense, resulting in the visitors winning 32-21 only at the end of the game.
This match was also remembered for a fantastic individual touchdown by former Springbok player, winger Brenton Polse, who played alongside Francois on the wing. Notably, Franke now gets a chance to avenge that defeat after three decades.
Young Horn noted the special significance of this game: 'This match is very important to me because my father played against the All Blacks in 1996, for Boland in Worcester. It's a special feeling that I can do it 30 years later.' The visitors certainly hold a special place in Horn's family, as his father, Francois, scored three conversions then while having a bruise on his eye.
He said he doesn't remember who they played the week before, but he had a 'nice black bruise.' He added: 'So it was such a big game to play with a bruise. And he said he converted all three attempts into goals. And apparently, the game was quite tense until they scored at the end. So yes, he was quite happy.'
Unlike his father, who managed the backline, the former Paarl Boys' High school star plays in a tight mass at the base of the scrum and will face the formidable All Blacks trio: Semisi Taʻaileoa, Ethan Blackadder, and Wallace Sititi. Since Franke has not previously played in Super Rugby, he is excited about the opportunity to test himself against the New Zealand team.
He stated: 'Yes, it is a huge opportunity for all 23 players. It was a very good build-up to this game. We are looking forward to testing ourselves against opponents we have never played before. I always watched Super Rugby and felt that pace, that intensity, and that physical strength. Obviously, you test yourself against the best, and they have chosen a very good trio, and we also have a very good trio. So it is just important that we as a team and as a trio play well. If the team plays well, then the individual plays well, and the others take care of themselves. So I am not thinking too far ahead. I am just focusing on my game and how I can contribute to the team.'