Maphaka ready to lead South Africa attack if Rabada misses Tests against Australia
Young South African fast bowler Kwena Maphaka said he is ready to step up and lead the national pace bowling attack in the upcoming Test series against Australia if injured spearhead Kagiso Rabada fails to recover in time.
CAPE TOWN: Jordie Barrett, an experienced All Blacks centre, warned that New Zealand must address South Africa's potent power game if they aim to secure a win in the upcoming third test and take a 2-1 lead in the four-test series. New Zealand initially triumphed 33-16 in the first test in Johannesburg, but the Springboks evened the score with a 33-26 victory in Cape Town during their historic tour of South Africa for the first time in three decades.
Barrett spoke about the importance of curbing the Springboks' aerial play during a press conference. He emphasized that New Zealand must improve their aerial defence, ground scrum efficiency, and minimise the Springboks' entries into their half to counter their power game. The third test at Soccer City in Johannesburg, the site of the 2010 World Cup final, will draw approximately 85,000 spectators and is a crucial match for both teams, serving as a championship clash similar to a World Cup final.
Barrett likened the series to a chess game, highlighting that both sides have adapted to each other's strategies over the first two tests. The New Zealand team is motivated to tie the series and win two out of the three tests on South African soil, a significant goal that Barrett believes will help honor the legacy of past teams who have excelled on this soil.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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