South AFrica Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach has called on his teammates to maintain unwavering focus as they prepare to face the All Blacks in a crucial third-round Castle Lager Rugby Championship match at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.
This highly anticipated encounter marks the first meeting between the two rugby giants since the Rugby World Cup final in Paris last year.
Reinach, set to earn his 35th cap, emphasized the importance of a complete team effort to overcome New Zealand, warning that the Springboks must be vigilant for the full 80 minutes to counter anything the All Blacks might throw at them.
“We just need to go out there, do our best, and make sure we don’t have any soft moments,” Reinach stressed.
“We must be switched on all the time and be ready for whatever they throw at us. Most of the players in their team have a unique skill of sorts, so we will have to be focused from the kick-off until the final hooter sounds. There have been times in the past when they’ve pulled a win out of the bag in the last 20 minutes, so it will take a full 80-minute effort.”
Reinach will pair up with the dynamic young flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who has impressed this season with his poise and creativity at pivot. Despite the high stakes, Reinach is confident that Feinberg-Mngomezulu will not be daunted by the occasion.
“Sacha has rugby in his blood,” Reinach said. “I saw a thank you speech he did when he was 13 years old, and that’s the type of confidence he has on the field. When he goes out there, he just wants to express himself, and as a team, we all back him. He may be young, but he is not under pressure. We all have a job to do, and we back each other to do it, so if someone makes a mistake, we help each other, try to fix it, and move onto the next job.”
Looking ahead to the clash with New Zealand, Reinach is particularly keen on facing All Blacks scrumhalf TJ Perenara, acknowledging the challenges posed by the robust and confrontational playmaker.
“TJ is a bigger and stronger lad, who likes confrontation and runs more. But their game hasn’t changed much. Most of the players in their team have an X-factor.”
With kickoff scheduled for 17:00, the Springboks will need to be at their best to secure a victory against a formidable All Blacks side, setting the stage for what promises to be an intense and thrilling encounter.
