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Springbok star Aphiwe Dyantyi reveals Kiwi inspiration behind signature celebration
Star Springboks winger Aphiwe Dyantyi has revealed the inspiration behind his trademark try celebration.
Rookie Dyantyi has been in rare form for the Springboks, scoring five tries across five Rugby Championship tests. He only needed 22 seconds to score against the Wallabies last weekend and will once again line up for the Springboks against the All Blacks this weekend.
He revealed at a press conference on Friday (NZT) that he owes the All Blacks for the level of emotion he expresses each time he dots down.
“It [the celebration] comes from the adrenaline I feel in the moment, but the story behind it is that when I was growing up, I watched a lot of rugby with my brothers,” Dyantyi told media.
“As any spectator, one of the greatest moments is marvelling at the haka, and it was no different for me.
“Watching Tana Umaga do it with so much passion, I kind of got it from there, and then I tried to take it and make it my own, and incorporate it into who Aphiwe is.”
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Dyantyi will be hoping to find more success against the All Blacks this weekend, after he scored a try in their stunning victory over the world’s number one ranked side in Wellington.
His efforts in the No. 11 jersey have drawn comparisons to Springboks great Bryan Habana, though Dyantyi doesn’t fully believe his own press.
“I’m just really flattered by the comparison [to Habana], but that mainly comes from you guys [the media],” Dyantyi said.
“He [Habana] is a legend in his own right, and he’s proved himself on the biggest stages. But I’m Aphiwe at the end of the day, and I’m trying to carve my own path and make my own history.
“I want to enjoy every opportunity, because not everyone has this opportunity [to play for the Boks], so I just want to make the most of it.”
Dyantyi will have another opportunity to shine this weekend when he faces off against All Blacks winger Waisake Naholo, in a matchup that is sure to be explosive.
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