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'We want to make everyone at home proud': Numia ready for Springboks Test
Sport Nation • August 19th, 2026 5:03 pm
Xavier Numia | Photo: Photosport
Xavier Numia knows the All Blacks are walking into a different kind of challenge this weekend.
The 27-year-old prop is on his first tour of South Africa and will experience the intensity of the rivalry up close when New Zealand faces the Springboks in Johannesburg on Sunday morning.
Speaking with Sport Nation’s Millsy & Guy, Numia said the squad was feeding off the energy of test week.
“The boys are locked in,” Numia said.
“It’s going to be an awesome game, awesome test, and the boys can’t wait for it.”
Numia got his first taste of South African rugby against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, where the altitude tested his lungs as much as the opposition.
“It was pretty tough,” he said.
“Got the dry throat and could feel the lungs a little bit more, but I guess it’s just a mental game. If you really want to dig deep, then you’ve got to dig deep and get through it.”
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The powerful prop believes that experience will help when the All Blacks return to altitude at Ellis Park, with the squad now knowing what to expect.
But the physical challenge of taking on the Springboks pack will be only one part of the test.
“Everyone knows the history between South Africa and the All Blacks,” Numia said.
“I think mentally, physically, emotionally, a lot of the boys are going to get tested.”
With injuries continuing to hit the touring squad, Numia said the message inside camp has been clear: stay ready.
“The next man up, always be ready,” he said.
For a player on his first South African tour, Numia said the goal is bigger than any individual.
“There’s one thing on our mind and it’s to connect within this group and do what we can do to make everyone else at home proud.”
Listen to the full interview below:
