The Springboks' victory at the Rugby World Cup (RWC) last year will serve as rich inspiration for the country's teams who go into Super Rugby at the end of the month.
First however they go into combat against each other in Soweto in the second Super Hero Sunday today with the Stormers (Thor) playing the Sharks (Black Panther) before the Lions (Spiderman) tackle the Bulls (Captain America).
NO LONGER SECOND FIDDLE
For Lions utility back Duncan Matthews there is a lot to draw from the Boks' experience in Japan. "I think it gave us a lot of confidence," said Matthews. "We are the best rugby nation in the world for the next four years.
"It gave us as South Africans who used to play second fiddle to the New Zealand sides a bit of confidence. We are capable of being the best in the world. We are capable of performing at that level."
He explained how the Boks' victory has already affected the Lions' back division, where he will do duty at outside centre this season. "The players here have taken a lot of confidence, especially from a guy like Elton (Jantjies).
We are capable of being the best in the world. We are capable of performing at that level
— Lions utility back Duncan Matthews
"He has a presence," said Matthews of the RWC winner. "He is not just another guy at flyhalf. You know this guy is in control. You don't have to worry about certain stuff because he has taken control of it."
The Lions' collisions and ruck coach Philip Lemmer believes there are some benefits to be derived from the way the Boks crafted their success. "The planning, preparation and simplicity," he noted, about the Springbok forwards' effort that helped pave the way to victory at the global spectacle.
There are other areas too local teams can draw from the Boks to help bring success in Super Rugby. "The one thing they succeeded in doing is to dominate every collision," reminded Lemmer. "They achieved that which meant they started dominating the scrums, the lineouts and the mauls and it has a knock-on effect. It is also our focus to win those mini battles as individuals."
SOMETHING TO PLAY FOR
For Matthews beyond the gimmicky Marvel- inspired characters which the teams have to embrace for the day, the matches carry significant weight in knocking teams into shape before the start of the tournament.
"I don't think you can ever be properly prepared for Super Rugby by just doing pre-season or training. You need that physical element of it. You can't simulate it in training. You need to be fatigued and then make decisions and then perform.
"It is really important that we have a game like this. The goal is to win. It is not like there is nothing to play for and that you are merely getting game time.
"It is not like that. Now you are getting the competition element of it. I think it is awesome."
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