Springboks want to bring the attitude to go with Ellis Park's altitude against the Wallabies

Veteran prop Vincent Koch has been around long enough in the Springboks’ set-up to remember the dark times — the times when the Boks were on the receiving end of big hidings, when sponsors didn’t line up to back the team, and when the public turned their back on them.

But since 2018, the dark times have turned into a golden era of Springbok rugby, with back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles and the team taking their rightful place at the top of the global game. Sponsors are now rushing back to splash the cash and be associated with the country’s biggest brand. Fans are heading back to stadiums around the country.

Telecommunications giant Vodacom is the latest company reconnecting with the Springboks ahead of their 2025 Rugby Championship campaign.

Ahead of their Rugby Championship opener against the Wallabies tomorrow at Ellis Park, Koch singled out one man who has been responsible for dragging the Boks from the darkness into the light.

“The sponsors pulled out because of our performances. We weren’t good on the field, and there were dark times,” said tighthead Koch, who made his Bok debut against the All Blacks in 2015.

“But our goal wasn't to stay there. When Rassie came in, he said we must be a force in world rugby, because the Springboks had always been a force.

“He changed everything for us, and through hard work and dedication, we managed to get out of that hole. I always say I would like the boys who had been playing during that time to be part of the current set-up, to experience this and see how great it can be.

“For us to see sponsors getting on board, it’s great to see people recognising what we have done over the last few years, backing us and putting their name behind the Springboks.”

The current Springboks are looking to make more history by becoming the first South African side to win back-to-back Rugby Championship titles.

They will start their campaign against a battle-hardened Wallaby team, who headed to South Africa fresh off a brutal series against the British and Irish Lions. The Wallabies lost the series 2-1, but gained a lot of respect for their performances in the second and third Tests of that series.

One man who has made a massive difference for the Wallabies is man-mountain Will Skelton, who played many games behind Koch in the second row at Saracens in England.

A lot has been made about Skelton’s battle with the Bok pack, but Koch is adamant that they are focusing on stamping their power and authority on the Wallabies instead of concentrating on a specific individual.

“It’s a team sport, but the stats say he makes a big difference when he plays,” said Koch.

“He is a big human being and a former teammate of mine at Saracens. We know the threat that he poses and what he offers Australia. But we are focusing on what we can do better from our previous four games (against the Barbarians, Italy, and Georgia).

“We are more focused on being the fierce team we want to be. We know the individual is there, but we have to be stronger and better and combat whatever he brings and get on top of them.”

Skelton played just over 40 minutes in the second Test and 60 minutes in the third Test against the Lions after a thunderstorm saw a prolonged half-time break.

But how will he go at the Highveld, where altitude tends to shock the system of even the fittest of rugby players? Koch gave some insight as to how hard it is to play at Ellis Park.

“It does make a difference. For a player, it definitely does — your lungs start burning in the third minute of the game and you just have to graft and survive,” said Koch.

“Australia arrived last Sunday, so they would know about the altitude and how it could affect them. But we are going to use it to our advantage and try to get the upper hand.

“In the warm-up, you taste blood! It’s not easy for a front-rower if your lungs burn in the warm-up. You know it’s going to be a long day!”