Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx charges at the All Blacks during the first Test at Ellis Park. Marx may have to go deep again in the second Test after completing a full 80 minutes at Ellis Park.
Malcolm Marx’s 80-minute shift against the All Blacks at Ellis Park was a stark reminder of his immense value to the Springboks.
The formidable hooker is the absolute heartbeat of the South African pack. His powerful carries consistently get the Boks over the gainline, while his ruthless ability to steal the ball at the breakdown is invaluable. Combined with his rock-solid work in the scrums and lineouts, Marx remains arguably the world’s premier No 2.
However, with Marx set to go deep into the contest again for the second Test at DHL Stadium in Cape Town, the Springboks are walking a tightrope regarding his workload.
It is rare for a hooker in the modern international game to complete a full 80 minutes, given the immense physical strain of scrummaging and collision work. Yet that burden fell entirely on Marx in Johannesburg, and South Africa can ill afford to burn out their most vital weapon in four back-to-back Test matches against the Kiwis.
