Share

McCaw ready to add to scar collection

London - South Africa are Richie McCaw's toughest rivals in terms of physicality and his results against them, so naturally the New Zealand captain cannot wait to get stuck into them yet again in Saturday's World Cup semi-final.

READ: Boks v All Blacks - 19 stats and facts

READ: Springboks' Test record against the All Blacks

READ: No more ifs and buts... this is it!

McCaw will face the Springboks for the 26th time and, having notched up six wins over the All Blacks in the previous 25 games, they are statistically the most successful of his personal international opponents.

They are probably also the best team at inflicting physical damage on flankers who play on the edge of the laws, so McCaw knows exactly what to expect.

"There is a massive intensity between the teams and tomorrow will probably be another step up," he told reporters after a run around Twickenham on Friday.

"The matches against the Springboks are some of the toughest you ever play. It will probably be another brutal game but they are the games I love. Being in that environment with that sort of opponent in that intensity is why you play.

"Picking up the odd scar is part and parcel of it and if we do the job I'll take any extra scar that comes along."

McCaw won the first of his 146 caps 14 years ago and though he has obviously developed hugely as a player and leader, he said it was also helpful to try to recall his attitude when he first broke into the team.

"I sometimes wonder how I managed to function at all back then but you do it on energy and excitement I guess," he said.

"I think when I made my debut I was just running on pure instinct, and I didn't want to stuff it up. I think as you gain the experience, and with the captaincy role, you realise you have got more than just playing yourself, it is about helping the men around you.

"I think that is a good reminder that you probably over-think the game at times when you have been around a while. So if you play with a bit of instinct, using the knowledge you have picked up, you can do a pretty good job."

He can certainly do that. Four years ago to the day, playing on virtually one leg, McCaw dragged New Zealand past France to finally reclaim the World Cup after a catalogue of painful near-misses.

They won that nervous finale 8-7 and though a higher scoring affair is likely on Saturday, McCaw said the winner would still be the side who get the basics right under the most intense pressure.

"What counts is being able to do the things that mean you can get across the advantage line," he said.

"The subtleties of the guys who are able to put guys in space can look flash, but it is often the result of getting the basics right."

Pressed on his favourite memory from his quarter-century of games against South Africa, McCaw ran through his mental box set and settled on an encounter from seven years ago.

South Africa had just won in Dunedin for the first time and were on a roll but found themselves shut out on home soil in a 19-0 reverse.

"The one that sticks to mind is the one we played in Cape Town in 2008 when we managed to keep the Boks scoreless," he said.

"That was a pretty cool performance. We'd had a rough start to that year. I wouldn't mind if you asked me that question on Monday, and I would say 'Saturday'."

World Cup
  • Results
  • Logs
  • All squads
  • Quiz
  • Live scoring
  • Springbok Heritage
  • Semi adds to All Blacks-Boks' history

    43 minutes ago

    We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
    Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
    Join News24 today
    heading
    description
    username
    Show Comments ()
    Voting Booth
    Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
    Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
    Results
    Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
    26% - 1273 votes
    No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
    29% - 1470 votes
    I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
    45% - 2249 votes
    Vote
    Editorial feedback and complaints

    Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

    LEARN MORE