'Eben made the choice to play... I'd like to think that he'll be doing it for his father'
Eben Etzebeth will take the field against the All Blacks this Saturday at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland, despite the recent passing of his father. The news was shared by Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and hooker Bongi Mbonambi, who expressed their readiness for the upcoming battle.
While addressing the media on Friday, Stick acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge awaiting them but emphasized the team’s unity in supporting Etzebeth during this difficult time. “We’ve prepared as well as we could for a massive game,” Stick said. “Eben’s loss is also our loss because we are a family, and as a team, we’d like to be there for one another.”
Tragedy has unfortunately struck the team twice, as Jaden Hendricks’ father also passed away before the team’s departure from South Africa. The Springboks have rallied together to provide support and solidarity to their grieving teammates. Stick added, “Eben made the choice to play this weekend, and I’d like to think that he’ll be doing it for his father. If he plays for his dad, it doesn’t get bigger than facing the All Blacks.”
Bongi Mbonambi acknowledged the daunting forward battle that lies ahead but expressed confidence in the team’s preparedness, despite some players arriving at the team hotel in the early hours of Tuesday morning. “It’s always difficult playing against a fully loaded New Zealand team,” Mbonambi stated. “They are a good scrummaging team, and we saw how they performed against Argentina, so we have to be up for it.”
Reflecting on their match preparation, Mbonambi mentioned that the victory against Australia served as a positive start but emphasized the team’s focus on the present challenge. “The game against Australia was a good start for us, but we quickly put that behind us because we have another big challenge this week,” he said. “Fortunately, all the planning was done when we touched down, so we just had to slot in, and as a team, we’re aligned.”
Assistant coach Stick anticipated a tough test from the All Blacks, stressing the need for physicality and resilience to counter their high-tempo game. “If we want to beat the All Blacks, there’s no doubt that we have to stand up to them physically and also cope with their high-tempo game for the full 80 minutes,” Stick asserted. “It is also vital that when we create opportunities, we have to use them.”
While the prospect of defeating New Zealand in Auckland for the first time since 1937 holds significance, Stick revealed that the team’s focus remains firmly on the task at hand and the rich history between the two teams. “It’s the first time I hear about that. It would be special for the boys, but it isn’t something we’ve been thinking about,” he shared. “As a team, we spoke about facing the All Blacks at home. Some of us were part of the team that won in Wellington in 2018, but this is a new match, and we know the history between the teams is massive.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Utter grub, hope he gets his leg broken. Shocking he is still playing after intentionally breaking quinn tupaeas knee
2 Go to commentsGreat to see NZ 7s teams finally coming into form and playing at the level that is expected of them.
2 Go to commentsChief Cheapshot on the market again.
2 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
10 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
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