Rugby World Cup 2023 final: John Smit and Schalk Brits, two former Springboks, explain why they wanted the All Blacks to compete.
South African icons John Smit and Schalk Brits joined former Springbok Hanyani Shimange to preview the Rugby World Cup final on the Rugby World Cup YouTube channel.
Smit on the team’s desire to face the All Blacks in the championship game
The captain of the team that won the 2007 World Cup claims that supporters from South Africa and New Zealand were interested in this potential championship game.
“I believe that both sets of fans will have prayed for this World Cup final, and as a result, we are receiving the final that we always desired against our longtime rival, the All Blacks.”
Why do we discuss this conflict more than any other conflict? The All Blacks are the only side that has defeated us more often than any other team, and this is due to the respect that exists between the two nations.
“That’s the reality, and they bring out the best in us, they test us the most, and they’re the team we want to beat the most. They love the game as much as we do, and their passion for it trumps any form of common sense, just like we love the game,”