Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick brushed off the pressure and the challenge of playing at Eden Park as they prepare mentally for the challenge that awaits them against the All Blacks in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship on Saturday.
Stick said only three players in the match-23 for the Test – Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi and Willie le Roux – had played at the stadium before, where the Boks last beat the All Blacks in 1937.
The Boks wrapped up their on-field preparations for the clash on Friday with their traditional captains' run at the iconic stadium, and both Stick and captain Jesse Kriel said they had done everything they could this week to be as prepared as possible for the historic match-up.
“We focus more on rugby statistics rather than history because that’s not where a game is won or lost before,” said Stick.
“Only three people in this group have featured in a game at Eden Park, so for us it will all be about what happens tomorrow.
“This is about playing for the Springbok jersey, and we cannot ask for a better occasion than this. The key for us is to represent our country with pride and dignity and to make our people proud.”
Speaking about the vibe in New Zealand in the build-up to the match, where supporters from around the world have started flocking into the city, Stick said the atmosphere in Auckland is fantastic.
“Everyone is talking about the match,” he said. “We are playing at a historical venue for them, and Ardie Savea is playing his 100th Test match, and we’d like to congratulate him on that achievement.
“That said, the focus for us will be on trying to improve from where we left off against Australia. This is a massive game for us, and we want to play the best we can and test ourselves against the best side in the world.”