‘I Want To Know What It’s Like’: Sititi Relishes First South African Test Challenge

Wallace Sititi is relishing the opportunity to test himself against South African opposition for the first time, admitting it is an experience he has missed since beginning his Super Rugby career.

With South African franchises no longer competing in Super Rugby after 2020, the All Blacks loose forward has never had the chance to face teams from the Republic, as South Africa is commonly referred to in New Zealand.

Now, touring the country with the All Blacks, the dynamic back-rower is eager to measure himself against some of South Africa’s top talent.

“My first year of Super Rugby, South Africa was already gone, so I never got the chance to experience what it was like to play against those franchises,” Sititi said. “At the same time, I would love to find out.”

He added that many of his teammates who have previously toured South Africa have spoken highly of the challenge.

“Lots of the boys talk about coming on tour here, and they really enjoyed it, but they also know how high the quality of South African rugby is. Will it make us better rugby players? Yeah, 100%. It’s quality opposition,” Sititi explained.

With the All Blacks’ tour featuring midweek matches against four South African franchises, Sititi believes those fixtures will be treated with the same intensity as Test matches, particularly for players looking to impress.

“The midweek games against the Super Rugby franchises will be treated like Test matches,” he said. “We know what the quality is like here. There are plenty of opportunities for us to put our best foot forward and enjoy our rugby.”

Among the players who have caught Sititi’s attention is highly rated South African youngster Paul de Villiers. Sititi, who has earned widespread praise for his power and relentless work rate, said De Villiers’ physicality has already made a strong impression on him.

“He’s a big boy who loves the collision battle,” Sititi said.

“He’s a quality player, and hopefully we’ll get to see him a couple of times during this tour.”

The All Blacks have also done their homework on their opening tour opponents, the Stormers, with Sititi expecting a formidable challenge from the Cape Town outfit.

“They have a big pack. They love the collision battle, but they also like to move the ball around and run it,” he said.

“We have to match them up front, use the ball well ourselves, and give our backs and players out wide opportunities.”

While several members of the squad have previously toured South Africa, Sititi said the warm reception the team has received in Cape Town has made for an ideal start to their visit.

The All Blacks were given a rousing welcome in Cape Town on Friday, with around 4,000 supporters turning out at DHL Stadium. The overwhelming majority of those in attendance were dressed in black, creating a vibrant atmosphere as fans gathered to catch a glimpse of their heroes and show their support ahead of the tour opener.

The reception highlighted the enduring popularity of the All Blacks in the Cape and left a lasting impression on the visiting squad.

“One thing we know is that Cape Town loves the All Blacks, and we definitely felt the love here over the last few days,” he said. “We’re extremely grateful to everyone who reached out, not only those who came to the welcome but also those who were waiting around the hotel.”

As the tour gets underway in the coming weeks, Sititi sees it as a valuable opportunity to experience one of rugby’s traditional strongholds while finally testing himself against the physical style for which South African teams are renowned.