‘We need to be on top of our game’

Ken Borland

The All Blacks are going to have to be on top of their game on Saturday in Pretoria to beat a Springbok team that have every right to be confident, according to New Zealand hooker Codie Taylor.

Although the Rugby Championship title has already been won by the All Blacks, the Loftus Versfeld game is a mouthwatering prospect, given that the Springboks seem to have found their groove after successive wins. And their historic triumph in Wellington will need to be avenged, as far as New Zealand are concerned.

“The Springboks have every right to be confident. Although their win in Wellington was difficult to take for us, they deserved it. They defended really well and last week against Australia they did that as well,” Taylor said.

The match-up between Taylor, the Canterbury Crusaders hooker and 2015 World Cup winner, and Malcolm Marx, who is widely touted to be the best hooker in world rugby, is going to be one of the highlights of Saturday’s Test.

“Malcolm is probably one of the Springboks’ key players.

“He can build a lot of momentum, he gets over the ball and is very good with ball in hand.

“I’ll have to be on my game going against him,” Taylor, 27, said.

The visitors will field their strongest possible team, with captain Kieran Read returning.

“The depth of this team is its strength, whoever plays steps right in.

“Scott Barrett is playing some unreal football this year; Sam Whitelock never takes a backward step and Patrick Tuipulotu is a beast in his own right.

“Kieran Read is one of the best eighthmen around.

“He’s a great lineout option, on attack and defence, and it just shows the depth of the loose trio,” Taylor said.