'This is not a friendly. In fact, we’ve never had a friendly against them'

Springboks captain Siya Kolisi says he’s hoping for an ‘ugly’ Rugby World Cup warm-up game against bitter rivals the All Blacks this weekend in Twickenham.

Kolisi and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick confirmed that the team would go all out in their last warm-up game against New Zealand tomorrow (Friday) at English rugby’s HQ. The sold-out match is viewed as ideal preparation for the upcoming international spectacle in France, not least with both sides fielding pretty much full-strength sides.

Kolisi said the Boks are treating this game as vital for fine-tuning before the World Cup.

“The fact that the All Blacks selected a full-strength side for the match shows their intent,” said Kolisi. “This is not a friendly. In fact, we’ve never had a friendly against them. It’s going to a big physical battle, and we are excited about it.

“We will not hold back at all. There are 80,000 people coming to the match and we owe it to them to give our all. There are also not many opportunities such as this to face the All Blacks in the northern hemisphere, so it’s going to be a special game.

“It’s also our last match before the Rugby World Cup, so we want to make the most of the occasion. Hopefully it will be an ugly, tough game, but beautiful at the same time.”

The Springbok skipper admits he’s relieved to be involved after battling back from an injury which has threatened his participation at the Rugby World Cup.

“I felt good this week, and going into the match I’ll give as much as I can again, and see for how long I can go,” said Kolisi. “Everything I wondered about I experienced last week, so I am certainly feeling more confident and I’m not going to hold back.”

Assistant coach Stick also expects a brutal fixture: “Playing against the All Blacks is always tough. So, this will be a good measure for the guys to test themselves before the World Cup.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

1

Draws

0

Wins

4

Average Points scored

18

23

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

60%

Stick was also confident about Canan Moodie’s positional switch from wing to outside centre, where he will join forces with Harlequins giant Andre Esterhuizen.

“We’ve seen Canan’s potential in the last two seasons and what he can do at wing,” he said. “If one looks at the way we defend, it’s one of the toughest positions to play, and he’s shown his potential to make big reads there, so hopefully by bringing him closer in this week, he’ll be even better.

“I believe he has the potential to become a great outside centre.”