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'Guys are going to get tired': Ex-Bok prop Kitshoff predicts 3-1 series win for South Africa
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Former Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff has predicted a 3-1 series victory for South Africa over the All Blacks in the Greatest Rivalry Tour.
The length of the tour with games against the four South African URC clubs in addition to four Tests against the Springboks was the key reason for Kitshoff’s prediction.
“I don’t think it’s going to be like that [4-0],” Kitshoff said on For The Love of Rugby South Africa podcast.
“The mid-week games are going to be a massive sign tell. The Stormers one will be a massive crowd, a lot of energy around.
“From a pure Test rugby perspective, I think it’s going to be close, I think it’s going to end 3-1.”
The All Blacks have taken a 44-man squad over to South Africa and will call upon extras should injuries strike.
Erasmus has prepped his side by using the most players of any team during the Nations Championships in July.
Kitshoff believed the All Blacks will tire as the tour goes on, making it integral for the visitors to win in the first couple of Tests.
“It’s going to be tough for New Zealand, it’s a long tour, the guys are going to get tired,” he continued.
“They’re playing in hostile environments and, for me, if New Zealand doesn’t knock it over in the first one or two [tests], I think South Africa is going to put a lot of pressure on them towards the back end.
“If New Zealand can withstand that initial onslaught of the Boks, that first 20 minutes where they become very brutal – and we all know New Zealand can do that – they can survive that and even come away with points, I think this thing can go either 2-2 or 3-1 [to the Springboks].”
“Hopefully the Boks do it, for my sanity, on African shores and they actually get it done 3-0,” he said.
“But I think it’s going to end 2-1 and then that Baltimore test actually becomes very important.”
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