Springboks fully focused on All Blacks clash

The Bokke as fondly known, are fully focused on their upcoming Rugby Championship fixture against their arch-rivals, All Blacks at Ellis Park Stadium this afternoon.

The battle lines have been drawn for today’s titanic clash between the old foes.

Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber will be all out in full force for a second victory following last week’s conquest after they smashed New Zealand with a 26-10 score sheet.

However, it will not be an easy route for the Bokke as the South African side will be without their winger Kurt-Lee Arendse in this match after he was slapped with a four-week suspension following a foul play on New Zealand’s Beauden Barrett, and he was served with a red card which will only see him back in action next month.

Following last week’s catastrophe, New Zealand have all it takes to break their losing streak as they have now suffered six defeats in their Test matches.

All blacks veteran lock Sam Whitelock alluded that their side will flip the script on the Springboks with a lightning start to an electric rematch.

“Electric is the word that sums up playing at Ellis Park. It’s an amazing place to play and both teams have played amazing rugby there in the past,” said Whitelock on Friday during a press briefing.

“I think back to 2013, it had everything, it had SA score a couple of tries early and we managed to come back in the end. Playing catch up is harder to do and you can do it as a Test side, but it’s way easier to start well.

 “The big, strong guys [of the Boks], they like to create momentum and get downhill and we’ve got to go there and make sure we don’t give them an opportunity to do that,” he said.

He further added: “One of the biggest things with that is our discipline; you can’t give away silly penalties and give them opportunities to kick into corners and set up their rolling maul.”

Kickoff for the much-anticipated clash is set for 17:30 this afternoon.