Springboks wing Canan Moodie has wonderful memories of facing the All Blacks.
Moodie was part of the run-on team who thumped the All Blacks by a record margin in Twickenham in 2023 in a Rugby World cup warm-up match.
Moodie featured at outside centre in the 35-7 victory over the All Blacks. He had a try disallowed after showing some silky running and stepping skills, while his defence in the wide channels was excellent.
Moodie will be hoping for a similar storyline at the Cape Town Stadium this weekend, when the Springboks take on the All Blacks in the second of their Rugby Championship matches on home soil.
Moodie was included in the team on the wing after Kurt-Lee Arendse suffered concussion and Makazole Mapimpi was given time off for for the birth of his child.
A powerful story of change 🥹#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/9OSY5uPipr
— Springboks (@Springboks) September 5, 2024
The Bulls wing will make his first appearance of the season for the Springboks following a hand injury that kept him out of rugby for a few months. But now Moodie is keen to make up for lost time.
“It’s been a tough couple of weeks, months with the injury I had. You know how special it is to be here [with the Springboks], and when you’re not here you are desperate to get back,” said Moodie.
“The mental challenges of it, you just want to be back here again and doing all you can - playing Currie Cup and getting match fit. This weekend I have an opportunity again and I’m just grateful for the opportunity to show what I can do again.
“I was lucky to be part of the team that played in Twickenham. I have played a game against the All Blacks and it was quite a special one. I took a lot of pictures out of that game to prepare for this one.”
Paarl-born Moodie will for the first time play a Test match in the Cape in front of his family and friends. And the occasion will be even bigger because of the rivalry with the All Blacks.
Get ready for a rugby showdown like no other! 🏉
— Springboks (@Springboks) September 5, 2024
It’s the homecoming match between the Springboks and the All Blacks at the DHL Stadium, and it’s set to be a spectacular clash of titans 🧬![CDATA[]]>🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦#ForeverGreenForeverGold#Springboks pic.twitter.com/uTqXv6EW3J
He confessed this week that he had to keep his selection a secret because of the requests for tickets for the Test match!
“It’s very special. I tried to keep it on the down low this week, but now I’m probably going to get messages for tickets!” Moodie joked.
“It’s very special, growing up in Cape Town [to play the All Blacks here]. These are the games you think about as a kid, playing in the streets and imagining playing the All Blacks. There is no better place than Cape Town to play this game.”