Embracing his Mzansi heritage, New Zealand speedster Mark Tele’a can’t wait to deal with the Springboks on the Highveld this Saturday.
Tele’a, who has a South African father and a Samoan mom, is in line to function off the bench for the All Blacks within the first of two Assessments over the approaching weeks between the southern hemisphere arch-rivals.
The world champions host New Zealand within the Rugby Championship at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, earlier than the rivalry makes its debut at Cape City Stadium per week later.
Blessed with uncanny footwork, a powerful kicking recreation and protected pair of palms beneath the excessive ball, the evasive Tele’a primary crossed swords with SA groups in 2019 after making his debut for the Blues in Tremendous Rugby.
Saturday’s conflict would be the first time that the 13-capped winger tackles the Boks within the Republic, and talking throughout an All Blacks convention this week, Tele’a highlighted the problem that awaits whereas addressing his ideas his SA roots.
“It will get actual laborious on the lungs actual fast, I assume that altitude kicks in actual quick,” the 27-year-old instructed reporters.
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“Each recreation is sort of a Take a look at match, even after we had been enjoying right here in Tremendous [Rugby], so it’ll be the identical now and I believe it is going to be a extra bodily problem figuring out that they’re up for the problem.
“We’re right here on their house soil, so it’ll be a very good problem.”
On being in his ‘hometown’, Tele’a provides, “Simply embrace it, you understand. I’m half South African, however I haven’t actually seen what it’s like [over here].
“Coming again right here [South Africa] is all the time significant, simply to see the tradition and simply embracing it as I am going by means of,” he commented.
“Any tradition is essential to any particular person so I assume for myself I’m looking for that out and [I’m] on my journey as nicely.
“As a Kiwi watching again from house, yeah, you possibly can solely assist from afar… you possibly can see it’s a troublesome battle each time, any recreation, wherever it’s in opposition to South Africa.
“We’re all on this journey collectively as a staff we’re attempting to stack good performances and head in the correct route, in order that’s what we’re going to do… Saturday’s one other recreation.”
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