Springbok hooker Malcolm Marks completed 50 Test caps for the Boks in style with a big performance to be named man of the match in their impressive 26-10 rugby win over the All Blacks at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
In a fantastic 55-minute shift, Marks was absolutely colossal at the breakdown, almost stealing the ball from the All Blacks at will, while also making some big carries and enjoying a flawless night in the box, hitting the jumper every time.
Boca coach Jacques Ninaber was full of praise for Marks, who has had an interesting journey to where he is now.
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“I thought he was great, and that’s Malcolm. When we talked last week about his 50thousand and who Malcolm is, I told him today that he’s the guy who’s stepping up to what the Springbok should be,” Ninaber said.
“He’s a warrior and a guy who had to work hard after turning from a fornicator to a prostitute. So he’s really had to work hard to get to where he is and I’ve worked with him since the U20s.
“In 2014 we first started working together and it’s phenomenal to see the guy he is now. This important game is what it is, it is an important milestone. Hopefully that will prepare him for the next road, and the road ahead is the next 50 Test matches.”
Extremely proud
Captain Siya Kolisi was also extremely proud of Marks and shared a few words with him on the sidelines after the game.
“I was just telling him how proud I was of him and just honoring him. I said that we as a team are happy for him and how proud we are that he stood up in such a game,” Kolisi said.
“We never really talked about him this week and he’s going to be a dad soon, so that was huge. He is a special person in our team. Faf (de Klerk) called him the team’s teddy bear and he’s always cracking jokes. But when he goes out on the field, he switches to someone else.”
Very modest
Marks himself was very modest about his own performance, preferring to praise his teammates who he felt put him in the right position to dominate at the break and enjoy a great day
“It was special, but when you have guys like that in the team around you, it makes it incredible. I don’t know how else to answer. I think the team is incredible, they make it special for you and they work hard,” Marks said.
“I tried to do my job as well as I could, and I think everyone else around me contributed even more. I think the guys around me put me in that position. There are guys who make tackles and work hard to get me the ball.
“So it’s not just an individual who steps on the ball and makes a steal. There are a lot of other factors that come into play and allow me to do that.”
