ALL Blacks expected to bring the heat in South African as Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry becons.
There has been some conjecture that the All Blacks’ midweek games during the Greatest Rivalry Tour could lack fizz because so many players will be away on Springbok duty, but Sharks coach JP Pietersen thinks the opposite.
The All Blacks play the Stormers on August 7, the Sharks on the 11th, the Bulls on the 15th, and the Lions on August 25.
Pietersen played 10 matches against the All Blacks in his 70 Tests for the Springboks, and played innumerable Super Rugby matches against the Crusaders, Blues, Highlanders, and Chiefs.
Pietersen says the rich interaction with New Zealanders made him a better player. He adds that the rarity and novelty of the upcoming midweek games will make them thrilling for the non-Springbok players — since South Africa split from Super Rugby in September 2020, the only interaction with the Kiwis has been at Springbok level in the Rugby Championship.
