If you want to know the true impact that the All Blacks have made in the world of rugby, just ask their old enemy, the Springboks.
The two nations are long-time arch-rivals and have been vying for rugby’s top spot for decades.
“It was always a special occasion coming up against the All Blacks,” Tendai “The Beast” Mtawarira told Showmax.
The former iconic Springbok player came up against the All Blacks more than 20 times, with each occasion being tougher than the next, he said.
“I was lucky enough to come up against them 21 or 22 times in my career. As a Springbok, it’s something you look forward to. It’s a measuring stick to test just how good you are as a team. It helps you gauge where you sit on the rugby ladder as the All Blacks are the ultimate test.”
Mtawarira has been one of the very lucky few to get up close and personal with the All Blacks during their numerous encounters, as well as off the field enjoying an ice-cold beer together.
“They are gentlemen off the field, and I’ve never had a bad experience with any of the All Blacks on the field. We have mutual respect, and there is a great comradery between the two nations. On the field, we give our 110 percent to our respective teams, and then off the field, we are mates who drink a beer together and share a moment that is special.”
Now rugby and sports fans have the ultimate opportunity to get up close and personal with the All Blacks too.
Thanks to the leading streaming site in Africa, Showmax, rugby and sports fans will get behind-the-scenes access to the one of the most iconic rugby teams in the world. From today, Showmax and Showmax Premier League debut the All Blacks Greatness collection set, an exclusive collection of programmes featuring rugby’s most iconic team.
The collection set features 15 gripping episodes on the All Blacks rugby team, including their 2023 Rugby World Cup journey, when they lost out to the Springboks in the final.
The collection set, from Inverleigh, is broken down into three different series; Greatness, All Blacks In Their Own Words and Black Ferns: A Redemption.
All 15 episodes are now available to watch exclusively on Showmax and Showmax Premier League.
All Blacs In Their Own words looks at the team’s performances over the 2022 and 2023 period.
Season 2022 was unlike any other for the team, with upsets, adversity, triumph and redemption packed into 13 Tests across five short months, while 2023 was filled with heartbreak as the All Blacks went all the way to the final of the spectacle only to lose out to the Springboks.
Black Ferns: A Redemption, focuses on the women’s rugby team. Through player interviews, media commentary and never-before seen footage, Black Ferns – A Redemption tells the story of how the Black Ferns went from underdogs to producing one of the greatest upsets in Rugby World Cup history.
Having faced them on numerous occasions, Mtawarira considers the All Blacks the toughest opponents he has ever faced in his illustrious career.
“There was always pressure coming up against them. I have great memories against them, some epic battles, and they are the toughest opponents I’ve ever faced. They certainly stand out as one of the most iconic rugby teams in the world, only second to the Springboks. We love the rivalry, we enjoy playing against each other, and off the field we’ve become quite good friends.”
Former SA rugby player Kobus Wiese has echoed Mtawarira’s sentiments about the All Blacks.
“I think it’s every youngsters dream in SA (if rugby is your sport) to one day face and test yourself against the old enemy, the men from the land of the long white cloud. Simply because they are just as passionate about the game as us, and as competitive as we are,” said Wiese. “All Test matches are tough, as they should be, you are representing your country and countrymen, but the All Blacks are just so special. They are like the Boks, part of the rugby fibre in the world. The Boks and All Blacks have won the most World Cups, and for good reason.”
Showmax CEO Marc Jury is thrilled to bring subscribers another incredible sports documentary, now streaming on the platform. “As a lifelong rugby fan, I’ve always admired the All Blacks. Their skill, passion, and sportsmanship are unmatched,’ said Jury. “To have the All Blacks Greatness Collection on Showmax is a dream come true. It’s a privilege to share this incredible story with our viewers, and I can’t wait to relive these iconic moments with them.”
About Showmax
Showmax, launched in 2015 and available in more than 40 markets across the continent, is a leading African streaming service. It offers a unique combination of original African content, first and exclusive international series, popular movies, premium documentaries, and the best kids’ shows, as well as a world-first Premier League live-streaming mobile plan.