No looking back: Springboks focused on present as they take aim at All Blacks

The past is the past, and the Springboks won’t rely on their recent victories over the All Blacks, thinking it will help them secure a win on Saturday in Auckland.

They want to stay in the present and prepare as best they can for the historic encounter at Eden Park (09:05 kick-off) against their arch-rivals. It will be the first time since 2013 that the teams face each other at the iconic stadium.

New Zealand are unbeaten at the ground since 1994, while the world champions haven’t won there since 1937. The Boks are on a four-match winning streak against the All Blacks and will look to make it a historic first victory in the modern era to keep their run going against their hosts.

According to Kolbe, who will play his first Test at Eden Park, they can’t rely on what happened over the last couple of years.

“You have to stay focused on what is currently happening, and for us, it is simple: whoever gets the chance to wear the green-and-gold jersey must seize the opportunity and express themselves,” Kolbe said on Tuesday.

“What happened in the past stays there. A lot can change within a season, and we’ve learned a few things up until now. That’s how we see this game: as a chance to keep improving individually and as a group, and to stay focused on the tasks at hand.

“If I get that opportunity this weekend, it will be a massive experience. It’s simple for me — even if it’s my first time playing here, I focus on what is in front of me.

"This week will go day by day, and training session by training session. I’ll look forward to the game should I be selected.”

Kolbe recently missed the first Rugby Championship Test against the Wallabies due to injury, and his experience and ability on the wing were felt during that loss in Johannesburg. Upon his return to the starting lineup for the second match in Cape Town, the former Stormers star played a pivotal role in securing a hard-fought victory.

His ability to create something from nothing on attack is what puts the Springboks on the front foot. However, more recently, his finesse under the high ball has become one of the key weapons the world champions have put to good use.

The winger has been outstanding when contesting high kicks, trying to win possession back. It’s a tactic the Boks have used with great success against teams like the All Blacks and Australia.

Although Kolbe is modest about his inclusion, with Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe out injured, he is very likely to start on the wing.

“Every opportunity you get against New Zealand is big, for me and for every other player. You’re playing against the current No 1 team, and that’s exactly the kind of challenge you want, to test yourself as a team and as an individual.

“The history behind this game is massive.”