AmaZulu FC head coach Pablo Franco Martin has revealed why the latest performances of Springboks in the Rugby World Cup remind him of his former side Real Madrid.
Martin served as an assistant coach at the Los Blancos during Julen Lopetegui’s tenure in 2018. However, he was only there for five months between July and November.
He also managed the Madrid-based club Getafe in La Liga before he joined the 14-time European champions, Real Madrid.
Martin, who’s backing SA to win the Rugby World Cup, says the Boks’ resistance in their past games reminds him of Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.
He stated that the Galácticos have had ugly showings in the continental competitions but still remain the most successful club as a result of their refusal to surrender.
He believes the Rainbow Nation will celebrate their successful defence of the World Cup on Saturday.
PABLO FRANCO THINKS OF REAL MADRID WHEN WATCHING SPRINGBOKS
“I think we are going to win, this is the most positive message,” he said during the club’s media open day on Monday.
“I know the semi-final was not a good game and the quarter-final was not the best game, England and France gave us [problems]…I consider myself part of Springboks because I’m also watching the games, I’m also putting on my Springboks jersey.
“And I know we were not playing that well in the last games. But this reminds me, let me compare with football, of Real Madrid when they are playing Champions League.
“Maybe you are not the best team when playing but you are always there. You believe in the end you are taking advantage of the last minutes of the game, you are coming back.
“And then when you reach the final, you play and win. I think that’s what’s going to happen. I hope it happens the same as last Saturday, we [AmaZulu] win the game and then the Springboks later win the game.”
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