‘Just A Different Number’: Arendse Backs Kolbe’s Fullback Switch Against All Blacks
Springbok wing Kurt-Lee Arendse says the Boks are determined to improve on last week’s performance as they prepare to face the All Blacks in the third Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
The Springboks won the second Test 33-26, although the All Blacks scored four tries to South Africa’s three. Arendse said the team had worked hard on its defence during the week and would be ready for the challenge both mentally and physically.
“We know the All Blacks are good at finding the wide channels, and we’ve put things in place to counter that,” said Arendse.
“In the first Test, we focused too much on them instead of ourselves, but this time our focus is more on ourselves and where we need to improve, so hopefully we will manage things better.”
“We work every week on ways to get better in defence,” he said. “We fixed up a few things this week that we lacked last weekend, but it’s something we work on every week to get ourselves better and prevent teams from scoring.”
Arendse is also confident that Cheslin Kolbe will slot seamlessly into the back three alongside himself and Ethan Hooker after moving to fullback in place of the injured Damian Willemse.
“It’s pretty much the same because I’ve played with Cheslin at fullback before,” said Arendse.
“It’s just a different number on his jersey. We communicate really well in training and on the field, and we’ll take that onto the park this weekend.”
Saturday’s Test will be Arendse’s first at FNB Stadium despite the 33-year-old having already earned 33 Test caps. The former Blitzbok speedster is relishing the occasion.
“I think the atmosphere is going to be amazing,” said Arendse.
“The last time I was at FNB Stadium was in 2023 for the Soweto Derby [between South African football clubs Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates], and the support that came out for that was great, so I think it will be the same this weekend. We’re really looking forward to it.”
Arendse echoed his teammates’ sentiments that the Springboks are determined to finish their home Tests on a high.
“It’s a really important Test and we’re going to give everything. We definitely want to finish on a high.”
The match kicks off at 17:10 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
