Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx has praised his team for their remarkable back-to-back victories over New Zealand in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, marking a significant milestone for South African rugby.
Marx’s comments come after the Springboks secured the Freedom Cup for the first time since 2009 and took a big step toward winning the Rugby Championship, a feat last achieved in 2019.
The Boks’ two recent victories against their arch-rivals, the All Blacks, were monumental in more ways than one.
They first edged New Zealand 31-27 in Johannesburg, and followed up with a hard-fought 18-12 win in Cape Town, a match that made history as the first time since 2011 that the Springboks kept New Zealand tryless.
Notably, this was also the first time the All Blacks had failed to score a try in a Test match since their 16-9 defeat to Ireland in Dublin in 2018.
These victories not only secured the Freedom Cup but also made history for the Springboks. The team became the first Springbok side since 1949 to defeat New Zealand four times in a row, a feat that had only been achieved twice in history.
Reflecting on this achievement, Marx lauded the collective effort of the squad.
“Hats off to all the guys for putting us in a position to win two in a row against the All Blacks,” Marx said.
“We had to work hard, and it’s an effort that required every player on the field. Whether you play off the bench or start, we all have roles. If you play off the bench, you know what you are playing for as a team, so the most important thing is to go out there and make an impact.”
Marx also acknowledged the uniqueness of this Springbok side, crediting the generation of players who have consistently pushed the boundaries of what South African rugby can achieve on the global stage.
“As a player, I’m extremely grateful to be part of this side,” said Marx. “This generation of players has been a force in world rugby, and to be sitting here is something I cherish every day.”
Marx was one of the standout performers in the Cape Town clash, scoring a crucial try in the 74th minute to help seal the victory.
The powerful hooker’s try extended his record as the leading Springbok forward try-scorer, moving him into joint 10th place on the all-time Springbok try-scoring list, alongside the late James Small, with 20 tries.
However, Marx was quick to deflect credit for his individual accomplishment.
“It wasn’t just me, it was the full pack that contributed to that,” Marx said. “I was just the one fortunate enough to get over the tryline. The other players worked equally hard.”
While celebrating the historic victories, Marx also highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in the breakdowns. He emphasized the need for the Springboks to be more precise in their breakdown work as they prepare for their upcoming matches against Argentina.
“New Zealand are a great side with equally great coaches,” Marx said. “We weren’t accurate enough in the breakdown area, which is generally a place we pride ourselves on, so we’ll look at that area of our game this week and see where to improve.”
With four consecutive victories in the campaign, the Springboks now sit at the top of the Rugby Championship log with 18 points, eight points ahead of second-placed Argentina.
Their next two matches against Los Pumas will be crucial in determining whether they can secure the championship title. The first encounter will take place in Santiago on 21 September, followed by a home fixture in Nelspruit on 28 September.
The Springboks will begin their preparations for the final two rounds of the tournament this week in Stellenbosch before departing for Argentina.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is expected to name a 28-man squad for the trip, while a group of players will remain in South Africa to prepare for the closing match in Nelspruit.
Among those likely to feature in the final stages of the championship are flyhalves Manie Libbok and Handré Pollard, centers Lukhanyo Am and Jesse Kriel, and outside backs Kurt-Lee Arendse, Makazole Mapimpi, and Canan Moodie.
With momentum on their side and the potential to make further history, the Springboks are determined to maintain their high standards as they pursue both the Rugby Championship title and continued success against their fierce rivals.
Marx’s gratitude and humility reflect the ethos of a team that, while historic in its achievements, remains focused on the collective effort required to secure more victories on the global stage.
Source: SA Rugby
