In 100 years of Springbok rugby, European royalty, presidents and other statesmen have often handled the ceremonial pleasantries before a Test match.
It was only fitting on Friday that the Springboks continue this tradition. However, this time around the Boks had an audience with an African king who had laid out the red carpet and all things befitting highly esteemed royal guests.
For the first time in more than a month, the Springboks felt on top of the world. This will certainly stand them in good stead for their encounter against the best rugby team in the world, the All Blacks, when they clash in their Tri-Nations encounter on Saturday.
Kgosi Lerou Molotlegi, who leads the richest nation on the continent, visited the Springboks on Friday to wish them well with a handshake. Springbok coach Jake White will hope that this will inspire his team to turn around their five-match losing streak.
Since that fateful day on June 24 when the Springboks were handed their first defeat on home soil in two years, life has been less than comfortable for the men in green and gold.
But this week, after their 45-26 defeat to the All Blacks at Loftus last Saturday, the Boks have been living in the lap of luxury, giving them enough time to think about the huge task that lies ahead on Saturday.
Furthermore, the Springboks face a somewhat tougher battle, aside from facing a powerful All Black team, as they will not be playing at one of the country’s traditional rugby stadiums. Instead, they will be playing in front of only 30 000 spectators at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium. Nine thousand tickets have yet to be sold at this unlikeliest of rugby venues.
”We had Monday off, so the guys got some time to relax and do a bit of recovering,” said captain John Smit. ”It’s great here; they’ve sold 30 000 tickets in an area like this and I think it’s phenomenal. I have a hard task in keeping the guys fired up, but the motivation is not lacking.
”We have spoken about the pressure and that we must win. I’ve tried to take away as much of the pressure, but I think we must just go out there and play. Jake’s job is done and I’m confident that the result will be fine.”
White was full of confidence ahead of the clash and has been buoyed by the meeting on Thursday with former Springbok coaches.
”The message that came out there was the common frustrations and challenges that go through every coach,” explained White.
”It was nice for Saru president Oregan Hoskins to hear that the same things are reoccurring. It was also pleasing to see the support and genuineness and how everyone wants to help in making sure that we get a consistent level in Springbok rugby.
”We also spoke of how are we going to avoid this [losing] from happening and it has got nothing to do about Jake or Nick [Mallett, former coach]. It’s got to do with how we want to do as a nation and if we want to be competitive as the Springbok team. We need to get it right.”
Hopefully the Boks can get it right on Saturday to reassure a disillusioned public that they can be kings of their game. — Sapa