It’s the day before the momentous Test, the best in the World playing one another, in the Tri-Nations.
What more could you want, 90 000 spectators at the Southern Hemisphere’s best Stadium, the All Blacks standing ont the verge of the Tri-Nations crown for 2010 and Springbok captain John Smit due to run out for his 100th Test cap?
Will the Bokke be better at home or will the All Blacks continue their dominant form of 2010?
The Springboks have a lot to prove, they have to improve on 3 very poor showings in the Tri-nations of 2010, they have to win here to boost their expectations for next year’s Rugby World Cup.
After the Springboks and SARU has recently dominated the headlines for all the wrong reasons…. including 3 bad losses, to ill dicipline, to whinging and moaning, to charges brought against National Coach De Villiers for allegedly bringing the game into disrepute and including SARU sledging SANZAR… a win here could largely repair the damages caused.
Looking at the Bokke weak points, we note the following:
- First time tackling has been poor
- The breakdown battle was clearly lost 3 times in a row
- Less than 50% possession has been aggrevated by poor tactical kicking
- Set phases have been worse than expected
- Game plans have been outdated and predictable
Can or has the Springboks rectified these obvious shortcomings or have they only painted over exposed cracks… that is the question which will be answered tomorrow.
6 Changes to the side… a winger moving to fullback (Gio Aplon), the return of JP Pietersen at right wing, the return of Jean de Villiers to his more fancied inside centre berth and Juan de Jong chosen at outside centre during Jaque Fourie’s ban, Francois Hougaard’s 1st Test start at scrumhalf in the absense of Fourie du Preez and amidst the poor form of Ricky Januarie in that position and lastly Flip van der Merwe preferred at No 4 lock due to the injury scare which places Danie Rossouw on the bench.
Add to that the unclarity regarding who should play tight head prop and the question marks over the fitness and form of John Smit and suddenly one has a very unsettled side, one which would have to show buckets full of resolve and determination to beat the No 1 cede in the World.
The All Blacks on the other hand must be brim ful of confidence, 4 excellent games from them so far in the Tri-Nations. Clever players who apply an astute game plan to perfection.
The All Black back 3 have been a thorn in the flesh in attack and counter attack and on top of that they have fielded kicks well and taken their options well. 2 Abrasive and clever centres pair up with a halfback pairing who have had no match this season and they play behind the most efficient backrow 3 the world offers at present.
The tight 5 engine room runs like runaway train, no obvious weaknesses there either.
So what are their weaknesses… not much, I’m afraid, except maybe that they play very close to borderline illegal play at the breakdowns and when rattled they could choke… but that might only be wishful thinking on my part.
How do I predict on this one… do I pick for the Bokke at home or do I pick the in form side…. let’s make it simple, I do not think the Bokke’s coaching staff has the nous to beat the All Blacks this year…. All Blacks by 10.
Recent results:
2010: New Zealand won 31-17, Wellington
2010: New Zealand won 32-12, Auckland
2009: South Africa won 32-29, Hamilton
2009: South Africa won 31-19, Durban
2009: South Africa won 28-19, Bloemfontein
2008: New Zealand won 19-0, Cape Town
2008: South Africa won 30-28, Dunedin
2008: New Zealand won 19-8, Wellington
Teams:
South Africa: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 François Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Francois Louw, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Butch James, 22 Wynand Olivier.
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 John Afoa, 18 Samuel Whitelock, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Israel Dagg.
Date: Saturday, August 21
Kick-off: 17.00 (15.00 GMT)
Venue: Soccer City, Soweto
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Alain Rolland (Ireland), Simon McDowell (Ireland)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Hey GBS, it gives me no pleasure to say that I think that you have this spot on right.
My worry is more than 10 points.
1@ tight head:
My worry too!
I will go as far as to say…its to early to tell if the Boks are in trouble.
I have it as a guess that the coaching staff stuffed up in 2008. Lack of planning has bitten the coaching staff in the bum.
Unfortunately the boks win last year glossed over RWC preparations.
I think the occasion may be too much for the Bokke as well.
If this game were at the Coke tin, I think the pychological advantage that the Boks hold there would have helped even things up a bit, but at a new venue, with no ghosts or skeletons for the All Blacks, I think the Boks will really struggle.
Lets hope we all have it totally wrong.
Nothing makes me more miserable on a Saturday evening than a bad Rugby result.
@ Scrumdown:
Thanks for the tickets mate!
My heart says Bokke by 3, but my heads says AB’s by 15. Really hope my heart wins 🙂
@5@ AB:
It’s a pleasure.
I’ve still got 5 available if anyone else wants.
@ Scrumdown:
Het jy toets kaartjies?
8@ biltongbek:
Ja. Hoeveel soek jy?
@ Scrumdown:
prys?
@ Scrumdown:
En waar op die stands is dit?
@ biltongbek:
Pry is R 500 elk. (Face value)
4 is in Level 2 block 226, 1 level 2 block 228.
I can’t see the Boks winning this game.
I wish that they do though.
@ Scrumdown:
Ek probeer nou eers die pelle bymekaar kry, lyk nie goed so ver nie, maar ek sal jou laat weet indien dit nog beskikbaar is later, dankie.
I am like a pig in sh!t, my wife picked up the tickets , so no stopping us now. FNB here we come!!
I think there is enough dog in this Bok side to upset the Kiwi’s…I dont agree with the prediction, I think the Boks will sneak it.
South Africa captain Smit ready for 100th Test, says milestone won’t distract team
By Gerald Imray (CP) – 17 minutes ago
JOHANNESBURG — South Africa captain John Smit is looking forward to an “awesome experience” in his 100th rugby Test but stressed on Friday his milestone won’t distract the Springboks in the historic Tri-Nations clash with New Zealand in Soweto.
After struggling in three successive losses in the competition, Smit said the Springboks know “we have been below our best” and need to bounce back.
“Everyone will be fully aware of what’s at stake tomorrow,” Smit said. “I can guarantee you it’s the kind of team that will be wary of the fact that a result for the team will be more important than one guy running out for the 100th time.”
The Springboks skipper, who has led South Africa in a world record 73 Tests, says he expects Saturday’s game at FNB Stadium to be “even bigger” than the 2007 Rugby World Cup final in Paris — where he led his country to its second world title.
Smit becoming the 15th player and second South African to reach 100 caps coincides with the first rugby international in Soweto. About 90,000 people are expected at the FNB, the biggest rugby crowd in South Africa in more than 50 years.
“I’ll be pretty emotional running out tomorrow. It’s going to be an awesome experience,” he said, adding it would also be nerve-racking.
“I think if you had asked me who you would like to have been playing in your 100th Test, there’s only one team I would have picked, and that’s the All Blacks.”
Smit said the high points of his career so far have been lifting the World Cup on that day at Stade de France and winning the 2009 series against the British and Irish Lions.
The lows points were being forced to sit out Tests through injury.
The 32-year-old front-rower made his debut 10 years ago, and was appointed captain following the 2003 World Cup in Australia, where South Africa made its worst ever showing at the tournament.
But Smit, under former coach Jake White, forged a winning partnership that captured the 2004 Tri-Nations — the first of two titles for Smit — and peaked with the World Cup triumph in Paris.
“It’s been an amazing journey,” Smit said.
“The game has changed over the last 10 years and I have been fortunate to see that as well. I think I’ll reflect more accurately in 10 or 15 or 20 years when I’m fatter and get to have a beer with my son and get to talk about it.”
The versatile hooker, who has also played 15 Tests as a prop, holds South African records as the Springboks’ most capped forward and most capped hooker (84 Tests).
“To play 100 Tests in the front row, it’s a hell of an effort,” said Smit’s longtime rival and New Zealand captain Richie McCaw.
“You can see the way he (Smit) leads his team, he inspires them. To play 100 Tests is pretty phenomenal.”
Smit is South Africa’s most successful modern-era captain, and considered one of rugby’s best-ever captains.
“He’s a guy everyone in South Africa looks up to. He’s been great for our country,” said South Africa vice-captain Victor Matfield, who is set to follow in Smit’s footsteps next weekend with his 100th cap.
“But I think John would love the team to focus on the game, get through the game and win the game,” Matfield said.
Smit echoed those thoughts on Friday, saying his 100th game “won’t get in the way of an All Black-Springbok Test, where we need a big result.”
South Africa struggled to match the pace and attacking prowess of its great rival in back-to-back losses in Auckland and Wellington last month, leaving it desperate for a victory in Soweto.
“I think execution of how we play has been very poor,” Smit said.
“The All Blacks haven’t changed too much from their approach from last year but maybe we have allowed them to play their kind of rugby this year.
“We have got to be better in our execution to be able to get back to our game.”
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