All Blacks flanker Ardie Savea says not winning the World Cup stings but says he is looking forward to playing the Springboks twice.
All Blacks flanker Ardie Savea has admitted he is still not over the Rugby World Cup final defeat to the Springboks last year.
The two biggest rugby nations collided in the final in Paris late 2023 with the Boks winning New Zealand 12-11.
Savea, one of the All Blacks’ key players, reflected on the pain of losing that famous final.
“It still stings a little bit not being able to win the World Cup,” he told the media.
“It’s something that I have had to process and I think of what we could have done better.
“Hopefully, I can use that to better myself and then obviously better myself in the future, wherever that takes me.”
The All Blacks and Springboks play each other twice this year, which Savea looks forward to.
He and his teammates will look to avenge last year’s defeat.
ALL BLACKS AND SPRINGBOKS TO PLAY TWICE THIS YEAR
“Playing two Tests in South Africa is like a highlight for a New Zealand player’s career, especially in front of those crowds.
“South Africa are world champions and that speaks for itself,” said Savea.
Two Test matches between the Springboks and All Blacks are scheduled, with the first taking place at Ellis Park on August 31.
On September 7, their second game is scheduled to take place at Cape Town Stadium.
Similar to Savea, former All Blacks coach Ian Foster claimed that the Springboks’ loss kept him up at night.
“We could have scored two more points, and I regret not getting them. I wake up sometimes in the middle of the night thinking about it.”
Foster is adamant that New Zealand ought to have received a late penalty, which would have given them a chance to win.
The Springboks will take on Wales in their first game since capturing the RWC championship in June.
