Exclusive: All Blacks legend Josh Kronfeld warns of 'different intensity' facing Springboks at Ellis Park
All Blacks icon Josh Kronfeld previews New Zealand’s ultimate test against the Springboks in Johannesburg, breaking down the overwhelming atmosphere and physical demands of playing at Ellis Park.
Josh Kronfeld, a revered All Blacks legend, has cautioned that the Springboks will face an intense challenge when they meet the New Zealand team at Ellis Park this weekend. According to Kronfeld, the home advantage will play a pivotal role in the outcome of the match. He emphasized in an exclusive interview with IOL that players cannot assume an easy victory simply because they are hosting the opposition.
The moment an athlete steps onto the host country's field, the rival's capabilities seem to multiply, creating a significantly heightened level of competition. Kronfeld's comments come after a challenging start to the All Blacks' tour, which included a 38-21 loss to the Stormers on August 7. However, the team quickly regrouped, displaying dominance over the Sharks (54-0) and the Bulls (50-19).
The upcoming encounter against the Springboks on Saturday in Johannesburg will be one of four high-stakes matches against South Africa scheduled over the next month. Kronfeld, who captained the All Blacks for over 50 times between 1995 and 2000, acknowledged that no stadium in rugby stirs the same fervor as Ellis Park. The sheer volume and intensity of the crowd's cheers and noise can be overwhelming, likened to turning up the bass in a car, which generates a rhythmic energy that can be both exhilarating and daunting.
Kronfeld concluded, "You’re on foreign soil. You are the enemy, and South Africans live and breathe that energy."
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
