Kwagga Smith eyes historic Eden Park win for Springboks

Following a hard-fought 30-22 victory over the Wallabies in Cape Town, Smith's focus has already shifted to the Springboks' Rugby Championship clash against New Zealand in Auckland on September 6. The historic venue, where the All Blacks haven't lost in over 30 years, represents both a daunting challenge and a massive opportunity for the reigning world champions.

"It's a massive game, going to Eden Park," Smith said. "Even when we lost the other game in Auckland (at Mount Smart Stadium), I was disappointed because we didn't play well. This time, we're determined to do better.

"It's going to be a tough game and New Zealand is obviously a great opponent.

"But for us, it's trying to get better every game and taking that confidence and learning from every game that we play to get better."

The Boks have not played at Eden Park since 2013, and their last win at the fortress came all the way back in 1937 - a staggering 88-year drought. With a second Test scheduled for September 13 in Wellington, the two-match New Zealand tour could prove pivotal in the Rugby Championship standings and in the race for the number one world ranking.

The All Blacks' long-standing dominance at Eden Park - 50 consecutive wins over three decades - adds further intrigue to the fixture. But Smith believes the Boks are well-prepared after learning key lessons from back-to-back Tests against Australia.

The versatile loose forward emphasized that the Springboks had learned key lessons from recent matches, particularly the opening-round 38-22 loss to Australia in Johannesburg â” a result that shocked fans and players alike.

"It was very important for us to get the win in Cape Town," he said. "But we also learnt a lot from the loss at Ellis Park. If you don't learn and just lose, you're in a bit of trouble. We knew what we had to fix going forward."

Smith emphasized that defeats can offer valuable insights. "You also learn the most from losing. If you just keep winning, you tend to brush off the small things. When you lose, reality hits hard, and you need to learn from your mistakes. That's important for us - to learn and improve every weekend."

Smith, known for his high work rate and explosive style, played a starring role in the Cape Town win, scoring one of the Springboks' three tries after being drafted into the starting lineup at number eight He replaced Jean-Luc du Preez, who withdrew late due to illness and missed what would have been his first Test appearance since 2018.

"We knew Jean-Luc was touch and go, so I was already preparing more for number eight than for number six," Smith explained. "I'm grateful for the opportunity, but I felt bad for Jean-Luc - he's a really good person. That's how it works in rugby. If you get the opportunity, you've got to use it."

A two-time Rugby World Cup winner, Smith remains humble about his role in the team and the intense competition in the Springbok loose forward department.

"I don't care if I start or come off the bench. Just getting the opportunity to play for the Springboks is really special. There's such strong competition among the loose forwards right now," he said.

With every team in the Rugby Championship having secured a win so far and only bonus points separating the sides, the upcoming clash at Eden Park is critical. Not only will it help determine the title race, but a win would also allow South Africa to retain the Freedom Cup and possibly reclaim the number one world ranking.

"It's going to be tough. New Zealand are obviously a great opponent," Smith concluded. "But for us, it's about improving every game - and Eden Park is the perfect place to show that," Smith concluded.