Boks have the will

THERE are a cacophony of voices that have decreed this weekend’s Test against the All Blacks has lost a bit if shine, a bit of verve, moxie, energy and good ol’ fashioned je ne sais quoi. I disagree.

It hasn’t been an easy fortnight for the Springboks, especially when framed between the two disastrous and embarrassing defeats to the Wallabies.

Despite the lacklustre displays, a Test against New Zealand is always special.

For 100 years, and on Saturday for the 100th time, the two nations – South Africa and New Zealand – have battled it out on the fields of world rugby, each vying for supremacy and bragging rights. In recent years, since South Africa’s readmission, the All Blacks have enjoyed the rub of the green and have savoured dominion over the Boks far too often.

Despite this fact, playing against the All Blacks remains the measuring stick for the Boks, the perfect indication of where the team is mentally, physically and spiritually. The importance of the match-up cannot be understated.

Since the first match played in 1921, the first try scored by Attie van Heerden, the first conversion slotted over by Gerhard Morkel of the famous Morkel rugby family, and the first victory recorded by the Boks against the Old Enemy a week later, the encounter has held a special place in international sport.

Saturday presents an opportunity for the players of both teams to etch their names in the record books as winners of the Centenary Test.

If the Boks can call upon their fierce spirit once more, after an arduous season, then they will do us proud.