\u201cWe take a lot of pride in being a rugby nation ourselves, but I think we\u2019ve been trumped and it\u2019s pretty evident today,\u201d hooker Codie Taylor, the All Blacks\u2019 \u201ctour captain\u201d in the absence of Ardie Savea, said at the welcome.<\/p>\n
‘It still astounds me to see Saffas support another country’<\/p>\n
Some Boks fans expressed their annoyance on social media at the continued enthusiasm for the All Blacks. They believe all South Africans should unite behind a team captained by Siya Kolisi, a black South African, which features many other players who reflect the modern nation.<\/p>\n
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All Blacks tour captain Codie Taylor pictured during the team’s welcome in Cape Town. (Source: All Blacks Instagram)<\/p>\n
Brenden Nel, a South African rugby writer, wrote on X: \u201cI know people have the right to support whoever they want, but given everything [coach] Rassie [Erasmus] and Siya\u2019s Boks have achieved, what they mean for the majority of this country, it still astounds me to see Saffas support another country against their own.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nel, by no means a lone voice, added later: “Getting a lot of vitriol on my comment on the All Black local supporters. They are free to support who they like. I don\u2019t get it but it\u2019s their choice. But if your reason is based someone else\u2019s hatred, that is on you. This Bok team is based on mutual respect and talent.\u201d<\/p>\n
It should be noted, too, that among the cheers of support for the All Blacks at the event were protests about the ticket prices. The All Blacks return to Cape Town for the second of the three Tests on August 30 NZT. Ticket prices for the Tests range from just over $NZ40 to $NZ400.<\/p>\n
Could SA be trying to lull the All Blacks?<\/p>\n
In any case, the All Blacks should make the most of it while they can. With matches in Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg to come, future welcomes will be less enthusiastic \u2013 to put it mildly.<\/p>\n
There is no doubt this tour, dubbed the \u201cGreatest Rivalry\u201d, has huge significance for the game in South Africa and indeed the union hosting it, and no one should be surprised if the intention was to lull the tourists into a false sense of security. <\/p>\n
In an interview with New Zealand reporters last night, Taylor said: \u201cMan, the fans over here are a whole other level. It\u2019s impressive to see and we know we have a lot of support here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taylor, and assistant coach Jason Ryan who was also on the media call, spoke about the challenges ahead featuring big and uncompromising players and the importance of starting the tour well. The All Blacks play a fourth Test against the world champions in Baltimore, USA, on September 6.<\/p>\n
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All Blacks assistant coach Jason Ryan. (Source: Photosport)<\/p>\n
\u201cMassive respect \u2013 they\u2019re the best in the world,\u201d Ryan said of the Boks\u2019 forwards. \u201cThey\u2019re a big pack, they know clearly what their identity is around their scrum and maul. Us having genuine preparation around that is important but also the opportunity to think a bit differently and learn from a couple of tough old lessons we\u2019ve had in the past when playing the Boks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mo’unga making the right moves at home<\/p>\n
Taylor said: \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of excitement in the group. We\u2019re not fooling ourselves and thinking it\u2019s going to be easy. It\u2019s not \u2013 South Africa at home is probably the biggest challenge we\u2019ll face in our rugby careers. It\u2019s exciting and we\u2019re ready to get into it.\u201d<\/p>\n