Boks vs All Blacks rivalry is irresistible

The passion burns as strongly in a clash between players from South Africa and New Zealand, whether it’s an age-group level or a Test match, writes MARK KEOHANE.

The Junior Springboks and their Kiwi opponents played out to an exciting 13-13 draw in the inaugural U20 Rugby Championship opener in Australia on Thursday.

The match at the Sunshine Coast Stadium was played in inclement conditions, with a heavy downpour before kick-off creating puddles of water all over the field. The swirling wind, too, made handling difficult and the Junior Boks struggled at the breakdowns but defended well and carried the ball strongly.

Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane underscores the longstanding rivalry between the Springboks and All Blacks, detailing their historical encounters and World Cup showdowns. He notes the tight competition between the teams, particularly in recent years under the coaching era of Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber.

Keohane reflects on Thursday’s showdown Down Under, arguing that while the quality of play may not have been exceptional, the commitment exhibited by the youngsters echo the fervor seen in senior international encounters.

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“On Australia’s Sunshine Coast a new era started for southern hemisphere rugby, and the historic tournament opener between New Zealand and South Africa typified everything that has made the Springboks and All Blacks the greatest rivalry in the sport,” Keohane writes.

“The conditions suited the Junior Boks more, given their authority among the forwards and in the collisions. The quality, to a casual observer, would not have been great but the playing conditions can’t be overstated when it comes to difficulty.

“Did I see a future Test Springbok and All Blacks in the match? Not at a first glance, but what I did see was that the passion burns as much for an U20 matchup as it does a Test clash for players from South Africa and New Zealand – and that is what makes this fixture so special and the rivalry so irresistible.”

Photo: Albert Perez/Getty Images