Springbok legend Ray Mordt has issued a rallying call ahead of this weekend's clash with Australia by telling the players that they were a good team that should be proud to represent South Africa.
Speaking at a jersey hand-over ceremony, ahead of the Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate Test in Sydney on July 7, Mordt told the players to keep in mind that they had a proud following in South Africa, in spite of the negative publicity in the Australian media.
"You have more than 40 million South Africans you will be playing for, and yourselves: that should motivate you enough," said Mordt. "I am proud of you, a talented squad that is proudly Springboks."
Responding to Mordt's address, captain Bob Skinstad said he personally drew inspiration from the humble nature of the Bok legend. Skinstad said in spite of Mordt's great achievements, he remained humble and thankful for the opportunity to play for the nation.
Mordt is regarded as one of the most powerful and deadliest finishers that the Springboks have ever had, with the pace to beat his opponent or the power to bump him off.
He is one of only three players to have scored a hat-trick of tries in a Test match, and the only Springbok to have scored a hat-trick of tries in successive Tests. The first was against the All Blacks in 1981, followed by another against the USA in New York.