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Kankowski: Boks can down NZ

J.J. Harmse

Sydney - The one player in the Springbok squad who is not being haunted by the ghosts of Saturday's slaughter at the ANZ Stadium is Gerhard Mostert.

"I was still on my way here and in the air when the Test (against Australia) was being played. I will only see it on video later for the first time," Mostert said after his first training session as a Springbok.

The lock was still quite wide-eyed about the experience, but believes there are high expectations of his contribution in Saturday's Tri-Nations Test against the All Blacks in Wellington.

When his Bok team-mate at the Sharks, Ryan Kankowski, was asked why he rated Mostert so highly, he mentioned the lock's ability in the tight loose.

"He cleans rucks very aggressively," said Kankowski.

Mostert admits that he takes that aspect of the game very seriously.

"It's basic things that a lock needs to do - getting stuck in at the breakdowns, hurting guys a little ... and things like that. When you do the basics right, other guys can do the fancy things," said Mostert.

Shoulder injuries and ensuing operations kept Mostert on the sidelines for a lengthy period, but he was able to build steam over the last few months.

"I last played a few weeks ago (for the Sharks in their play-off against the Crusaders), but it will probably just take me a minute or so to get into the groove again."

Kankowski was somewhat surprised by a statement from Bok coach Peter de Villiers that captain John Smit did not have any leadership support on the field.

"Everybody supports each other on the field and you try and have a word with a team-mate whenever something goes wrong. We play for each other," he said.

Kankowski is one of few Springboks in the squad who have beaten the All Blacks and believes it is possible again.

"It's always a big challenge, but it has been done. If we work hard and keep believing, we can manage it. Everybody wants to be involved in something special. We just need to believe in one another," said Kankowski.

Meanwhile, the All Blacks are set to rest four regulars. Scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan nevertheless warned the Springboks that the All Blacks would be playing a lot better than they did against Fiji. The All Blacks won that Test 60-14.

Keven Mealamu (Blues), Kieran Read, Brad Thorn and Owen Franks (all Crusaders) will not play against the Springboks, All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith told NZPA.

That is definitely good news for the Springboks, especially as their pack was smashed by the Wallabies and they have serious problems at lock. Franks has been devastating in the scrums this year.

Thorn is the enforcer in the team and Read is widely considered the world's best No 8.

The Springboks fly to Wellington on Wednesday, but it appears as if the bad weather that has plagued them on their Tri-Nations tour will follow them to New Zealand.

The country has just had its worst snowfall in 15 years and the hills around the Kiwis' capital are snow white. Roads north of Wellington had to be closed.
 
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