Stephen Donald recently praised Springbok's Malcolm Marx for his exceptional performance in the latest match of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series. Speaking on The Aftermatch with Kirst & Beav podcast, Donald highlighted Marx's critical play and physical prowess that contributed significantly to the Springboks' victory.
During the discussion with Kirstie Stanway, who had brought up Ardie Savea’s recent achievement in the forwards’ try-scoring ranks, Donald shifted the conversation towards Marx. “It’s a wonderful list and I was going to ask you where Marx was. He’s often at the back of the all-powerful mauls from the Boks too. He was phenomenal,” said Donald.
“When he gets over the ball, you’re just waiting for the arm to go out from the referee ... You’re not going to shift him if you’re not there early. Once he gets locked on the ball, it’s all over.”
Stanway remarked on the broader impact Marx had on the game, not just from scoring. “It wasn’t just what he was doing around the field. It’s the swagger that Malcolm Marx has got about him,” she added.
Donald was quick to note the intense competition that has defined the recent encounters. The tension in these matches brought out the best in players like Marx, who thrive under pressure. This quality was evident as Marx played a crucial role not only in scoring but also in dominating the breakdowns and set-pieces.
Stanway then acknowledged the overall superiority of the South African team in set-pieces. She stated, “We’ve got to give them their flowers. They are a super impressive outfit and whether you like scrums or not, scrums have been talked about heavily over the last three weeks.”
Adding a lighter note, Donald confessed his admiration for the Boks' scrummaging prowess, albeit with a hint of rivalry. “I like watching it – if it just doesn’t happen to be against guys wearing black jerseys,” he chuckled.
With these exchanges, it's clear that great respect is given to players like Marx who consistently demonstrate skill and strength on the international stage. As the series moves to Baltimore for the next game, all eyes will be on Marx and his teammates to see if they can maintain their lead and secure another win.
