CANAN ABLE

CANAN Moodie has set his sights on nog ‘n wen against the All Blacks when he and his Springbok manskappe tackle New Zealand in Saturday’s 9.05am Rugby Championship Test match in Auckland.

The Paarl-born outside back can currently spog with the unique record of never being on the losing side when starting a Test match for the Bokke, with his only blemish the recent 38-22 loss to Australia after coming on as a replacement in the Ellis Park defeat.

Moodie has faced the All Blacks twice as a starter, with his first appearance, at outside centre, coming in South Africa’s record 35-7 win at Twickenham ahead of the 2023 World Cup in France.

In last year’s 18-12 win innie Kaap, Moodie played on the right wing and is expected to wear either the No.11 or 14 jersey when coach Rassie Erasmus announces his matchday squad on Thursday.

However, Moodie has never faced a Kiwi side in any form of competition in New Zealand. But of now realising a childhood dream this weekend, the 22-year-old said: “As a kid, I always woke up early in the morning to watch these clashes, and to be part of that now is something special.”

Saturday’s clash has been talked up for months as the All Blacks are putting their 31-year unbeaten record at Eden Park on the line.

And while Moodie agrees that the Boks face a massive challenge, having not beaten the Kiwis at their hallowed ground since 1937, he says it will be important to park the hype and focus on the job at hand.

Moodie said: “The magnitude of this match means there is going to be pressure. The All Blacks have a lot to play for; their record at Eden Park, Ardie Savea’s 100th game; there is a lot on the line for them.

“But, we know what we need to go and do and stay focused on the job that we need to do. [This] game is very important to us and we will do everything we need to, to get a result on Saturday.”