Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe said that, despite facing the All Blacks being the biggest match in world rugby, he will only concentrate on what is expected from him if he is selected.
“If I’m part of the selected group to play on Saturday, it’ll be an unbelievable opportunity and experience. But for me, it’s simple, I’m just focused on what’s in front of me and I’m taking it day by day and practice session by practice session and just taking good confidence into the weekend.”
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus will announce his match-23 on Thursday, but both Kolbe and Van Staden said the fact that the Springboks had not defeated their archrivals at Eden Park since 1937 made it one of the matches to cherish if they were to be named in the team.
“For me, every opportunity that you get to play against New Zealand, especially with all the history behind the matches, is massive. I think it’s the same for every other player. “We are facing the current No. 1-ranked team in the world, and as a player, you want to measure yourself against them individually and as a team to see where you are and if you are still on par, so I’m excited.,
“I haven’t played at Eden Park before, but I’ve heard many great talks and memories of those who’ve been here, so I’m super excited to play if that opportunity does come this weekend.”
Kolbe insists history won’t decide Saturday’s Rugby Championship. “The past is history. There’s nothing we can do about that. All we can do is focus on what we can do now, and whoever gets the chance to play needs to go out there and enjoy the occasion.”
“I think the past is the past; you can’t read anything into that. You just need to stay in what’s currently happening.
“There’s a lot that can change within a season, and we’ve learned a lot up until now, and that’s exactly how we see this game, to keep improving and developing personally and as a group and to just stay focused at every task at hand.”