Ruan Nortje described the lines out as a 'battle within a battle' in the upcoming match between the Springboks and the All Blacks at FNB Stadium on Saturday. The experienced player in the lock position knows who will lead the challenge from New Zealand.
The greatest rivalry in rugby
Fabian Holland has become one of the most noticeable participants in the series so far, and Nortje expresses deep respect for the All Blacks lock ahead of the decisive third test match. Nortje stated on Tuesday: 'In some weeks they know your trump card, in others—yours, that is the level you are facing.'
He continued that it is important to put in maximum effort and develop plans to pressure the opponent, and he is confident that they too will have their own strategies for the upcoming weekend. However, for Nortje, preparation is only half the battle; the ability to react when plans fall apart during the match can be equally significant.
'The key is to cope when they apply pressure on us and adapt as quickly as possible, especially in such a situation in the game,' he noted. Among the opponents who caught his attention was Fabian Holland. Nortje emphasized: 'Fabian Holland is a world-class player, he has shown it over the last two weeks. I have great respect for him, it is always a great honor to play against him.'
The significance of the match will be amplified by the atmosphere: nearly 90,000 spectators are expected to gather for the third test at FNB Stadium. After 56,000 viewers at the second match in Cape Town, Nortje looks forward to playing in front of a huge crowd in Johannesburg.
'It will be an amazing experience. Last week in Cape Town there were 56,000 people, this week it could be 85,000 or 90,000. We can only imagine how great it will be,' he said. He added that regardless of the venue, the team knows what it needs to do and what to stick to, and it would be wonderful to have so many people supporting the team, receiving energy from them, and enjoying every moment.
Nortje also shares a useful view on interacting with referees, as he is the captain of the Bulls. Although he stressed that his experience comes from the franchise level, he believes that understanding the personality and communication style of the official is crucial. 'You need to understand at what stage of the game the referee is and how they communicate,' he stated. He clarified that different referees have different styles, profiles, and ways of managing the game, so it is important to know the person you are working with and determine the best time and way to talk to them, as well as when not to do it.
Furthermore, if the team feels decisions are being made against them, Nortje believes the best reaction is to focus on what is within the team's control. 'If you feel like you are not getting approval from the referee, for me it means stepping back a bit, ensuring that you are acting within your own actions in the game, playing as close to the rules as possible, and then leaving the decision to them instead of pressuring them too much.'
