Marx says Springboks carrying nation’s hopes into All Blacks opener

Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx says South Africa’s players understand they will be representing the entire nation when they face New Zealand in the opening match of the Greatest Rivalry series in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The Test at Ellis Park, which begins at 17:10, is the first of four consecutive meetings between the Springboks and the All Blacks. Rugby supporters around the world will be watching as the two sides begin the inaugural RGR series.

Marx said the occasion carried significance beyond the players and their families, with South Africa’s hopes resting on the team.

“As a little boy you always dream of representing your country one day,” said the 2025 World Rugby and SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year.

“Representing your country against what is one of the best teams in the world and experiencing it at an international level is a whole other level. If I’m selected for this weekend, I’ll try and grab the opportunity with both hands and give everything I can.

“We know we’re not just representing ourselves and our families. We’ve have about 64 or 65 million people we’re trying to represent, and we want to do so the best we can on the day. Whatever the occasion and whatever comes on Saturday, we’ve just got to man up and give the best that we can.”

The match has attracted considerable attention because of the scale of the new four-Test series, but Marx said the Springboks were preparing for the Ellis Park contest in the same way as any other international.

“I wouldn’t say (this week and competition) is more intense. We’ve always said we treat each Test match the same. That said, we know the magnitude of this series and how big this weekend’s game is going to be, and we’re trying to prepare accordingly.”

Marx could face Codie Taylor in a direct battle between two experienced international hookers. The pair have met regularly during their careers, including in Super Rugby with the Crusaders and in Tests between the Springboks and All Blacks.

Marx said he had great respect for Taylor, while also warning that New Zealand possessed strength throughout its hooking options.

“We’ve (Codie and I) obviously played against each other for a good number of years from the Crusaders to the All Blacks, and I have the utmost respect for him,” said Marx.

“He’s a great rugby player, and I like the way he plays the game. He is extremely physical and good at the set pieces. We’ll have a bit of a laugh and a beer after the game, but on the day we both know we’ve got a job to do.

“That said all their hookers are explosive players, and they are very good with ball in hand, on defence, and at set piece, so it’s going to be a great challenge for our hookers on the weekend. All three of them are extremely good, and if given the opportunity I’m looking forward to it.”

The Springboks and All Blacks team selections will be announced on Thursday, ahead of the first meeting in the series.

The four-Test contest is scheduled to conclude with the possibility of a 2-2 outcome, a scenario that would bring its own unique twist to the Greatest Rivalry series.