1
Dave Rennie reveals Rassie Erasmus turned down pre-match meeting with officials
19
{{item.n}}
Malcolm Marx: 'That’s in the past and we've got to deal with what is now in front of us'
Comment
Share 
Reigning World Rugby player of the year Malcolm Marx has downplayed the significance of South Africa’s record win over the All Blacks last year ahead of this weekend’s clash at Ellis Park.
Rassie Erasmus’ world champions will host the All Blacks in Johannesburg on Saturday in the first match of their Greatest Rivalry Test series, and their first meeting since the Springboks handed New Zealand their biggest ever defeat, a 43-10 humbling in Wellington last September.
A lot has changed in New Zealand rugby since then, chiefly the dismissal of then-head coach Scott Robertson, with Dave Rennie taking charge.
VIDEO
As a result, Marx, who started at hooker in the dismantling of the All Blacks, has dismissed the significance of that victory, saying his side definitely don’t have “the edge” because of that result.
With that said, the victory in New Zealand’s capital was the start of an ongoing 12-Test winning run, which, alongside playing at home, may give the Boks the edge. But the All Blacks are undefeated in their three Tests since Rennie took over, and Marx expects them to “come at us guns blazing” on Saturday.
“I definitely don’t think we have the edge because of last year. That’s in the past and we’ve got to deal with what is now in front of us,” Marx said when speaking to the media this week.
“We know the All Blacks will come at us guns blazing, and we’ve worked extremely hard. We can’t rely on what happened in the past to take us through this game. We’ve got to make sure that we rely on all the work over the last couple of weeks to give us the best chance on the weekend.”
Marx’s team-mate Grant Williams has the same mindset heading into the weekend. The scrum-half started on the bench in Wellington last year having started in the loss at Eden Park a week before, and is one of many contenders to wear the No.9 jersey in Johannesburg.
“I just remember the win, but it was a whole different week, with a completely different mentality going into the game,” he said. “The All Blacks will come out on Saturday guns blazing, but whoever is selected for the weekend will try to front up and make sure we represent South Africa really well.”
Watch Rugby's Greatest Rivalry LIVE
Two rugby giants collide. Stream live, replays and highlights free on RugbyPass TV.
