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South Africa are desperate to get one over fierce rivals New Zealand at Twickenham on Friday to take momentum into the Rugby World Cup in France, lock Eben Etzebeth stated.
The southern hemisphere powerhouses conflict in a last warm-up fixture earlier than they cross the English channel, the place South Africa will defend the title they gained in Japan 4 years in the past.
On that event they misplaced their match opener to the All Blacks, however hardened by that battle in Yokohama went on to win their subsequent six video games and raise the trophy.
Pleasant or not, Etzebeth says there isn’t any manner the Boks will drop their depth on Friday.
“Enjoying on your nation, in among the best stadiums on this planet in opposition to South Africa’s largest rival … it’s a Check match, we’ll give our every little thing to win,” he informed reporters on Tuesday.
“We’ll fear concerning the World Cup after Friday. But when it goes effectively (and so they win) it can construct confidence.”
New Zealand beat the Boks 35-20 in Auckland in the course of the Rugby Championship final month after they raced right into a 17-0 lead early on.
Ensuring they don’t give them the identical early benefit is essential for South Africa.
“They got here with an enormous begin and we’re getting ready this week to try to do higher,” Etzebeth stated.
“We have to enhance all points. We pleasure ourselves on our set-piece and our defence, and we need to have an excellent kicking sport and attacking play.
“That is going to be one of the vital aggressive World Cups ever as a result of there are such a lot of groups placing up their arms to go on and win.”
He additionally suggests there isn’t any added stress on the Boks as defending champions.
“Some would possibly say there may be added stress on us and that groups will come for us. However I do not know if that’s the case, I feel every staff simply needs it actually badly,” he stated.
“They do not care about us, they simply need to win the trophy. If something we put stress on ourselves to go on the market and win once more.”
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