A big scrum battle is predicted on Saturday between the Springboks and All Blacks, and that is one of the places the home side will look to get the ascendancy.
The two sides are known for their attacking approaches in the Rugby Championship, and the set piece will likely provide the platform from which they can launch those attacks at Ellis Park (5pm kick-off).
They had uncontested scrums in their last match against Australia in Perth just over a week ago, having dominated the set piece in Brisbane, so the Bok props will be licking their lips for the challenge against the New Zealanders.
The All Blacks had a field day in the scrums against Argentina and should provide a stern test for their hosts. But after losing prop Ethan de Groot, a strong scrummager, to injury, they could be vulnerable on Saturday.
Loosehead prop Gerhard Steenekamp is primed for a first start against the All Blacks and could be thrown into the deep end by coach Rassie Erasmus, with World Cup winner Ox Nche the other loosehead at his disposal. Double world champion Steven Kitshoff is back in the Bok mix after an injury, but after only playing half a Currie Cup game in Johannesburg, he does not look ready for the type of test the Springboks will get on Saturday.
Steenekamp said yesterday that they are working hard on their set piece to make it a good challenge on Saturday. He, of course, is excited about the prospect of facing the Kiwis and is determined to grasp the opportunity with both hands should he get a start or spot on the bench.
“It’s every young boy’s dream to face the All Blacks in a Springbok jersey,” the 27-year-old said.
“It’s the same for me. It will be a privilege and honour. Those butterflies will never go away for me ahead of a rugby game.
“When that is gone, then my rugby career will be over. As soon as that excitement stops, you stay on for the wrong reasons.
“Those butterflies will never go away for me ahead of a rugby game.”
“We are coming from the tour (to Australia) with a lot of confidence, but this is an entirely different horse we’re saddling up this weekend. So, we will have to take every Test as it comes. This one will need different plans.
“But we can forge ahead with the momentum we’ve built.”
Even though Kitshoff is back in the squad, Steenekamp has done enough of the hard work up front for Erasmus and his fellow coaches to keep faith in him.
Although he is still a relatively junior prop in the ranks, he said that he will continue to learn from the likes of Kitshoff, Nche and the other front-rankers.
✖️ Lood de Jager
✖️ Jean Kleyn
✖️ Franco Mostert
✖️ RG Snyman
✖️ Salmaan Moerat
❓ Eben Etzbeth
BRUTAL injury list for the Springboks ahead of the Ellis Park Test. #RSAvNZL #RugbyChampionship pic.twitter.com/ecc3lXsxhL
“We will prepare as well as we can and try and figure out where their weaknesses lie and exploit them. There are no big or small Test matches. We need to win every Test match and do the best we can.
“I don’t need more fire under me,” he said, chuckling, when asked if the return of Kitshoff puts more pressure on him.
“It’s just a massive honour to play alongside guys that I’ve looked up to when playing provincial rugby. I just try to learn as much as possible in every session.”
The world champions had some bad news yesterday with enforcer locks Eben Etzebeth, Salmaan Moerat and the versatile RG Snyman all likely to miss the clash through injury.
Erasmus will announce his matchday squad this afternoon.