Sam Cane quietly confident ahead of Bok clash

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All Blacks flanker Sam Cane is confident his side can turn the tables on the Springboks in their Rugby Championship clash on Saturday.

Getting over the travel demands associated with playing in Argentina and South Africa meant there hadn’t been much time for training, but Cane said that hadn’t lessened the All Blacks’ attitude or preparation for the Test in Pretoria.

“I’m relishing the challenge of facing them over here,” he told the All Blacks’ official website.

“I just don’t think it gets much tougher at altitude, their crowd, them in hot form. It’s us versus a few elements so it gets you going, it’s going to be big.

“Traditionally we’ve come together pretty well for big challenges but we can’t rest on what we’ve done for other games, that’s for sure.”

Prop Karl Tu’inukuafe said Wellington had been his first defeat in the All Blacks’ jersey and after experiencing the aftermath of a loss, he is raring to go.

“We’re looking forward to the game on Saturday,” he said.

He added on this weekend: “When it comes to scrums I get hyped up, I always love a good challenge.

“These guys (South Africa) have been one of the biggest challenges and I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

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Cane said his Chiefs team-mate was being modest, revealing as a flanker it was possible to feel how much weight was going into the scrum through his shoulder.

“If he’s going for it I’m right up behind him, helping him but if it’s defensively and he’s just locking it down he allows me to get off just that second quicker which is nice,” he explained.

Tu’inukuafe said his approach to sides was to treat them all as the best.

“I don’t ever under-estimate anyone, they’re the best and I’ve got something to prove,” he revealed.

“They’re (South Africa) definitely good and I definitely have something to prove, I always put them above me.”