FILE - Olympic gold medallist Tatjana Schoenmaker carried the South African national flag ahead of the Springboks’ Test against Wales in 2022. She will be afforded the same honour when the Boks take on the All Blacks at Ellis Park. FILE - Olympic gold medallist Tatjana Schoenmaker carried the South African national flag ahead of the Springboks’ Test against Wales in 2022. She will be afforded the same honour when the Boks take on the All Blacks at Ellis Park. Picture: Christiaan Kotze / AFP
South Africa's most decorated Olympian Tatjana Smith will lead the Springboks out in their Rugby Championship clash against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The 27-year-old was speaking at an Under Armour event in Sandton, Johannesburg on Saturday morning.
Tatjana Smith confirmed the news, saying she was extremely nervous, possibly more so than in any of her swimming competitions.
“This is on a whole other level,” Smith said ahead of the match.
Smith’s brother-in-law is Springbok captain Siya Kolisi who is married to Rachel Kolisi. Rachel's brother Joel, married Tatjana in 2023.
The Springboks currently lead the Rugby Championship with two wins from two matches, both coming away from home against Australia.
The All Blacks, meanwhile, lost their Rugby Championship opener against Argentina earlier this month in Wellington, before bouncing back in the second match in Auckland.
On Friday, Kolisi said he would always gave his all for South Africa.
A place where Lions and Springboks have run wild since 1927 🏟️
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) August 31, 2024
Emirates Airline Park is the stage for today and it's going to be a classic 💥 pic.twitter.com/NXpZ2BXrOQ
“I try to be at my best wherever I play. If I don’t play well for my union or for my club, I won’t get selected to be here. Here it’s different. I can’t explain it. When you put on the Springbok jersey, it’s a lot to play for,” said Kolisi.
“The competition for positions is from the guys that are playing with you. It’s healthy competition. We are also helping each other. Marco [van Staden] is my best coach, Kwagga [Smith] is the same. Then you add on what we play for — the people of South Africa.
“People talk about how much pressure the game is … But coach Rassie [Erasmus] said to us in 2019, we’re in a place of privilege. We have the honour of representing the whole of South Africa. What you do with your talent … you can control people’s moods on Monday.”
@Golfhackno1