Embracing his Mzansi heritage, New Zealand speedster Mark Tele’a can’t wait to tackle the Springboks on the Highveld this Saturday.
Tele’a, who has a South African father and a Samoan mother, is in line to feature off the bench for the All Blacks in the first of two Tests over the coming weeks between the southern hemisphere arch-rivals.
The world champions host New Zealand in the Rugby Championship at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, before the rivalry makes its debut at Cape Town Stadium a week later.
Blessed with uncanny footwork, a strong kicking game and safe pair of hands under the high ball, the evasive Tele’a first crossed swords with SA teams in 2019 after making his debut for the Blues in Super Rugby.
Saturday’s clash will be the first time that the 13-capped winger tackles the Boks in the Republic, and speaking during an All Blacks conference this week, Tele’a highlighted the challenge that awaits while addressing his thoughts his SA roots.
“It gets real hard on the lungs real quick, I guess that altitude kicks in real fast,” the 27-year-old told reporters.
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“Every game is like a Test match, even when we were playing here in Super [Rugby], so it’ll be the same now and I think it will be a more physical challenge knowing that they’re up for the challenge.
“We’re here on their home soil, so it’ll be a good challenge.”
On being in his ‘hometown’, Tele’a adds, “Just embrace it, you know. I’m half South African, but I haven’t really seen what it’s like [over here].
“Coming back here [South Africa] is always meaningful, just to see the culture and just embracing it as I go through,” he commented.
“Any culture is important to any person so I guess for myself I’m trying to find that out and [I’m] on my journey as well.
“As a Kiwi watching back from home, yeah, you can only support from afar… you can see it’s a tough battle every time, any game, wherever it is against South Africa.
“We’re all on this journey together as a team we’re trying to stack good performances and head in the right direction, so that’s what we’re going to do… Saturday’s another game.”
Photo: Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images
The post All Blacks ‘Saffa’ braced for altitude factor appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
