All Blacks South Africa tour is ‘the pinnacle of rugby’, says Simon Parker

All Blacks loose forward Simon Parker says a four-match Test series against the Springboks represents “the pinnacle of rugby” after speaking to former New Zealand players who have toured South Africa.

Parker was speaking on Monday after the All Blacks completed a training session ahead of the opening match of their tour against the Stormers.

The tour will begin in Cape Town before the squad travels to Durban and Pretoria to face the Sharks and Bulls. The first Test against the Springboks will take place at Ellis Park on 22 August.

Parker said conversations with former All Blacks had given him a clear understanding of the significance of playing in South Africa.

“You talk to some of the old boys from the series in the past when they’ve toured over here, and it’s been the pinnacle of rugby,” Parker said.

“So we’re really looking forward to getting stuck into our work this week, and yeah, it’s exciting.”

The visit also carries personal significance for Parker, who did not have the chance to tour South Africa during his time with the Chiefs.

The Covid-19 pandemic prevented the franchise from travelling there, meaning the current All Blacks trip offers Parker an opportunity he had previously missed.

“It’s a cool prospect coming over here and not something I got to do[before], but speaking to the boys that have done it[during Super Rugby], they love coming over here and getting a couple weeks to tour.”

Parker said the welcome received by the All Blacks in Cape Town had strengthened his feeling that the tour would be a special occasion.

The enthusiasm of supporters, and the prominence of rugby in the country, had been clear to the New Zealand squad since its arrival, he added.

“It’s great to see how supportive and how much rugby avid the fans are over here and how supportive they are.[It’s]something you’ve got to appreciate,” Parker added.

The All Blacks will first face the Stormers as they begin their preparation for the Tests against the Springboks. Their campaign will then continue with matches against the Sharks in Durban and the Bulls in Pretoria before the opening Test at Ellis Park on 22 August.

For Parker, the schedule combines a demanding series of fixtures with the experience of touring a country whose rugby tradition has made a strong impression on previous All Blacks squads. His comments reflect the importance attached to the trip by players who have heard former team-mates describe touring South Africa as the highest point of their rugby careers.