Cane’s return to make it a ‘proper battle’ at Ellis Park

The Old Foes meet at Ellis Park this evening, with the Springboks favoured to extend their run of wins over the Kiwis to three after a seismic 35-7 rout in London last year that was followed by the 12-11 win in the World Cup final.

“We’re motivated for this match. We want to win more than people can imagine,” Kolisi said. “That takes us closer to winning the Freedom Cup (an annual contest between the All Blacks and the Boks). That’s all we’re thinking about. Everything else, in the future, we will see after this.”

Kolisi said that the Boks were not interested at this point in next week’s match between the sides in Cape Town.

“Tomorrow is a massive game for us. A lot of people say that New Zealand have a lot of motivation, but we also have a lot of motivation. They’ve beaten us a lot of times in Joburg. Some of us in this group played in the 57-0 defeat which we will never forget.”

Kolisi and the likes of Eben Etzebeth, Damian De Allende, and Jesse Kriel featured in humiliating losses to the All Blacks in the bleak years of the Allister Coetzee coaching tenure and they want redemption.

“This is a vitally important game for us and we have a lot to play for. All we’ve been focusing on this week is a win for the people of South Africa,” the Bok captain said.

Kolisi will go toe-to-toe with his old rival and friend Ardie Savea, the All Black flank.

“The respect between us is mutual. It’s not hidden,” Kolisi said. “We are very good friends off the field. We get along very well and we keep in touch all the time. We respect each other, but we do that on the field by making sure that we give everything that we have.

“That’s been the rivalry between us and New Zealand. Yes, on the field we give everything that we can and after that, there’s mutual respect. Ardie and I have just gotten closer and closer over the years.

“People wonder if we are going to go half-heartedly at each other, but it’s never like that. I will get his respect by giving him everything I can.”

Kolisi added that the return of All Black flank Sam Cane, who was red-carded in the final at the Stade de France, will add an edge.

“It’s always a tough battle, especially now with Sam back in the squad. He’s been a warrior for them over the years. It’s going to be a proper battle.”

More than anything, Kolisi trusts coach Rassie Erasmus’ selection process that has warhorse Eben Etzebeth as part of the Bomb Squad.

“We have selected a strong team, it will go down to the last second,” Kolisi said. “Guys like Eben and Kwagga (Smith) can give us that experience and impact we need as the game closes out.”

Kolisi said that when the going gets tough, the Boks will dig deep into their fundamental motivation to perform.

“We are motivated to play for the people of South Africa,” he said. “Many South Africans would like to make a difference but they don’t have the platform, but we do. We understand this and will give everything.”

Springboks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Handre Pollard.

All Blacks: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams

Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Mark Tele’a.