Former All Blacks scrumhalf Justin Marshall believes there is no sterner examination in world rugby than a full tour of South Africa.
Marshall was part of the All Blacks team in 1996 that became the first side from New Zealand to win a Test series in South Africa.
Three decades later, he insists nothing compares to facing the Springboks and provincial teams on South African soil.
“I’ve said this before, and I say it because for me it’s factual – as an All Black, it’s probably the most difficult challenge that you put the boots on for,” Marshall said on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast. “Equally, whether you’re the coach as well, to go to South Africa.”
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When asked whether that challenge is bigger than a British & Irish Lions series, Marshall said: “Yeah, I think so. The advantage of the Lions is you’re at home. You’re in your own environment, you’ve got control, you’ve basically got the majority of the crowd there.
“But to go to South Africa, in their conditions, with their passion for the game, and to go back-to-back-to-back-to-back in four Test matches on the bounce with those provincial games – what South African rugby player who doesn’t get to pull the Springbok jersey on doesn’t want to have a crack at the All Blacks?”
WATCH: All Blacks for Africa (1992 tour)
The rivalry between New Zealand and South Africa dates back to 1921 and has produced 12 full Test series, six hosted by each nation. The Springboks famously won in New Zealand in 1937, while the All Blacks’ breakthrough in South Africa came in 1996 – a tour Marshall says tested every facet of a player’s game.
“It’s not just the Tests,” he explained. “Everybody’s playing their Test match in those provincial games, so you get bashed around in those as well.
“But that’s why you play the game, that’s why you coach the game – to test yourself in the toughest environment, the most competitive situation you’re ever going to get put through.
“Taking on a challenge that daunting is what gets you out of bed. That’s the ultimate.”
MORE: ‘All Blacks tour of SA the greatest test’
Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour fixtures:
Friday, 7 August: vs Stormers, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Tuesday, 11 August: vs Sharks, Kings Park, Durban
Saturday, 15 August: vs Vodacom Bulls, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Saturday, 22 August: vs Springboks, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Tuesday, 25 August: vs Lions, Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Saturday, 29 August: vs Springboks, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Saturday, 5 September: vs Springboks, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
Saturday 12 September: vs Springboks, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post ‘Touring SA bigger challenge than Lions series’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
