A victory more than 12 months ago rather than two this season will help motivate South Africa in their Tri-Nations encounter against New Zealand on Saturday, captain John Smit has said.
In July 2008, the Springboks came from behind to snatch a dramatic 30-28 victory at Carisbrook, ending a run of a decade of losses in New Zealand. It also halted the All Blacks’ 30-match unbeaten run against all opposition at home.
”I think it is something that has given the guys a lot of confidence,” Smit, who was injured and missed the game at Carisbrook, told reporters a day ahead of their final Tri-Nations game of the year.
”To be able to replicate that [success] is the motivation, to make sure that it is not something that happens very now and then.” Vice-captain Victor Matfield, who stood in for Smit last July, also said the Dunedin victory had been big stepping stone in the team’s belief.
”I think if you go back and look at those celebrations after the game it was something that was bigger than any of our victories this year so far,” the lineout specialist added.
”It was something that very special. It was something we had not done as a team but like John said it is something we want to do again. And hopefully it is something we do more in the future.
”It is definitely not easy. It is one of the hardest asks to come here and to beat the All Blacks.”
Repeat performance
Smit and Matfield will be asking their young side to repeat that performance in order to grab the Tri-Nations trophy back from the All Blacks, who have won nine of the 13 competitions and held the trophy since 2005.
The Springboks, however, already have one hand on the trophy after they beat the All Blacks 28-19 and 31-19 in South Africa, though a 21-6 loss last week to Australia in Brisbane has given the New Zealand a faint whiff of retaining the trophy.
”We haven’t had a sniff of it [the Tri-Nations] since 2004,” Smit said.
”It [victory] wouldn’t be about breaking their monopoly, it would be about us getting our hands on it a few more times than has been usual.
”It is a tournament they have dominated and rightly so. They have played the best rugby in the past and have deserved that.
”It’s a tough tournament and it has only got tougher with an extra Test against each country, so to win a Tri-Nations is no small feat in this day and age.” – Reuters