Moodie confirms Springboks shift focus to All Blacks series

The Springboks have fully turned their attention to the upcoming four-Test Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks, according to utility back Canan Moodie. This follows their 17-10 victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires, which Moodie believes served as crucial preparation for the formidable challenge ahead.

Moodie, who featured at outside center against Los Pumas, stated that the squad achieved its objectives from that match and is now entirely focused on the All Blacks. The world champions returned to South Africa in groups on Monday and Tuesday, undergoing recovery sessions before their full training camp reconvenes.

Injury returns and combination building

The match against Argentina proved particularly valuable for several key players returning from injury layoffs. Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Siya Kolisi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Morne van den Berg all saw game time, an essential step in regaining match fitness. Moodie noted that many returning players were not yet fully match-fit, making their 80 minutes against Los Pumas vital for their conditioning.

This game also allowed Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus to continue building player combinations ahead of the demanding series Moodie reflected on the match against Los Pumas. Moodie highlighted the character shown by the team in a tough encounter, expressing hope that this resilience would carry into the upcoming Tests against New Zealand. Fans can stay updated on international rugby news with our comprehensive coverage international rugby news.

Upcoming Rugby's Greatest Rivalry fixtures

The Springboks' entire training camp squad, including players who remained in South Africa to focus specifically on the All Blacks series, will return to the field in Johannesburg on Friday and Saturday. This will facilitate further preparation for their four consecutive clashes against their arch-rivals.

The inaugural Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series begins on August 22 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, followed by matches at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on August 29, FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on September 5, and concludes in the USA at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on September 12. While the Springboks will enjoy home-ground advantage for three of the four Tests, the All Blacks have already engaged in matches against the Stormers and Sharks, giving the Springboks ample material to analyze their four back-to-back Tests. You can find more information on the Springboks, England Renew Rivalry in Nations Championship opener.