Cheslin Kolbe reveals the one area of the All Blacks game the Springboks will need to keep an eye on

Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe is wary of the All Blacks starting fast in the second Test between the sides in as many weeks when the teams face off in Cape Town on Saturday.

Last weekend the Springboks ran out narrow 31-27 winners over the All Blacks in a dramatic Johannesburg Test that saw the host stage a comeback to steal the game.

The victory puts the South Africans in pole position in the race to the Rugby Championship title but there is still work to do with a massive New Zealand Test waiting in Cape Town.

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Beware of the fast start

Kolbe is no stranger to facing the Springboks great rival and underlined the importance of preventing a quick All Blacks start. This has proved decisive for the New Zealanders in the past with last year’s Mt Smart Test a great example of the All Blacks running the South Africans out of the game in the first quarter to eventually win 35-20.

“They are a team with a great all-round skill set. In the past it’s always been about that fast start they come with. They catch you off guard,” said Kolbe. “We have to make sure we also start fast and don’t get caught out.

“In the past we weren’t able to come back from 10 points behind and finish a game off with a win. But it just shows you the character of this group and the belief of each and every player, and the willingness not to give up.

“We don’t want to have any regrets when we go onto the field.”

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The All Blacks ‘home away from home’

The clash in Cape Town has an interesting element to it in the form of a strong All Blacks supporter base in the city. Kolbe hopes the Springboks have won over more fans after their Rugby World Cup triumph last year.

“We had a great trophy tour here after the World Cup with great support all over South Africa. Hopefully we have won over more support,” Kolbe said.

“The only thing we can do more is to win, and hopefully earn a bit more respect here. Yes, the All Blacks do have a good support base in Cape Town, but I’m sure the majority of supporters will be cheering on the Springboks.”

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