“This weekend is going to be exciting, different, a massive game, a historic game. The pressure is going to be immense but the atmosphere incredible.”
The Springbok loosehead prop Steven Kitshoff is relishing the opportunity to start against the All Blacks on Saturday in the final of the Rugby World Cup in Paris.
Kitshoff was a part of the victorious Junior Springbok team that beat the Baby Blacks in 2012 in Cape Town in the final of the Junior World Cup.
While he also played in the 2019 World Cup final against England in Yokohama, he rates this weekend’s final as a career highlight.
Steven Kitshoff are winning the 2012 Junior World Championship against New Zealand – Luke Walker/Gallo
Kitshoff said it will be special to play against the All Blacks in the World Cup final.
“We were fortunate enough to get the victory there on home soil but this is a different beast,” said Kitshoff.
“We all know how good the All Blacks are and how well they’ve been playing, and having started my international career in 2016, we struggled to get a victory over them until 2018 and from there it was very 50-50.
“This weekend is going to be exciting, different, a massive game, a historic game. The pressure is going to be immense but the atmosphere incredible.”
The Springbok flyhalf, Handré Pollard, who was still a schoolboy at Paarl Gymnasium also played in that Junior World Cup final. The flanker, Pieter-Steph du Toit was another member of the victories Junior Springbok team.
The seasoned loosehead added that there is pressure on the forwards to perform this weekend, but they are well prepared and confident in the work has gone into reaching this point.
“Rassie and Jacques had a meeting on Monday where they announced who was playing.
“They said it was going to come down to the forwards and the way we pitch up, giving a platform to the backs to show the magic and X-factor.
“We all know the brand and style the All Blacks play with and how dynamic they can be but for us it’s about our work rate, the physicality, the lineout, mail.
“For us we have got the opportunity to play 40-45 minutes, it’s about absolutely emptying the tank and giving absolutely everything to make sure you leave nothing out there.
“It’s all about 80, 85, 100 minutes performance.”
Saturday night’s big final at Stade de France kicks off at 21:00.
Springboks – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Replacements – 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Jasper Wiese, 23 Willie le Roux.
All Blacks – 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Mark Telea, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements – 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Sam Whitelock, 20 Dalton Papali’i, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown
Morgan Piek
