Get set for Boks vs All Blacks classic
Brad Morgan
3 July 2008
Rugby's world number one ranking will be on the line when the Springboks and the All Blacks front up in Wellington, New Zealand on Saturday in the opening game of the 2008 Tri-Nations competition.
Weather predictions are for a wet and cold showdown, which raises the likelihood of a tactical battle in poor conditions. Both teams have had preparation for that this season - South Africa in a 26-0 win over Italy and New Zealand in a 21-11 victory over Ireland.
Despite the fact that the Springboks are the world champions, the fact that they haven't won in the Land of the Long White Cloud since 1998 has been freely bandied about in the lead-up to Saturday's clash, mostly by the Boks themselves.
Best opportunity
Many pundits believe Peter de Villiers' charges have their best opportunity to put one over the All Blacks since Nick Mallett's men won 13-3 in Wellington.
Incredibly, one man who was a member of that side will be part of the South African team on Saturday, albeit that he will be on the bench; Percy Montgomery, the most capped Springbok of all time, and SA’s all-time leading points' scorer is one of the substitutes.
Apart from Montgomery, there are a number of very experienced players in the South African line-up, including captain John Smit (77 caps), CJ van der Linde (50), Bakkies Botha (48), Victor Matfield (70), Schalk Burger (40), Juan Smith (45), Joe van Niekerk (47), Bryan Habana (39), and Jean de Villiers (36).
More experienced
The South African starting fifteen is slightly more experienced than their New Zealand counterparts, with 546 caps to the 411 of the opposition; a whopping 392 of the Springbok caps belong to the forwards – an average of 49 per player – which could stand John Smit and company in good stead if the conditions dictate that the test is a forward-dominated clash.
Despite his experience, Joe van Niekerk is probably the most surprising pick made by Peter de Villiers and his fellow selectors.
At the start of the test season Pierre Spies and Ryan Kankowski appeared to be ahead of him in the pecking order for eighthman. However, after Kankowski suffered a concussion against Italy and Van Niekerk excelled as his replacement, De Villiers has gone with the Lions' forward, whose physical style should suit the wet.
Leadership ability
De Villiers told a press conference that a factor in Van Niekerk's selection was his leadership ability. He said this worked well with a number of other leaders in the team. The captains include John Smit, Victor Matfield, Juan Smith, and Jean de Villiers.
Gurthro Steenkamp's experience and scrummaging has been preferred to Tendai "The Beast' Mtawarira's more dynamic all-round game, while the rest of the pack, as previously revealed, is very experienced.
Ricky Januarie teams up with Butch James in the crucial halfback positions. The battle between James and All Black kingpin Daniel Carter should be one of the most fascinating battles within a battle.
James versus Carter
Carter is regarded by many as the best flyhalf in the world, but James showed at the 2007 World Cup he can at least be Carter's equal, although he is a different kind of player. He came of age in France and during the tournament showed a fine tactical appreciation of the game, arguably performing better than Carter; he will need to be on top of his game again on Saturday.
Jean de Villiers and Adrian Jacobs team up in the midfield. Some people feel Jacobs' defence is suspect, although he performed solidly in two tests against Wales. What is certain is that he brings a clever attacking edge to the Springbok line-up, and he and De Villiers performed fluidly together against the Welsh.
Odwa Ndungane will make his Tri-Nations debut on the right wing. One suspects that his selection has as much to do with his defensive work as with his attacking ability. Opposite him, the 2007 IRB Player of the Year Bryan Habana runs out on the left wing.
Jantjes before Montgomery
Conrad Jantjes continues at fullback ahead of Percy Montgomery, who hasn't been given a start yet this season. Despite Jantjes' strong form, it is an interesting selection given Montgomery's experience and proven track record, including as a deadly goal kicker.
He is joined on the bench by Brian Mujati, who will provide front row cover; Bismarck du Plessis; Andries Bekker; Luke Watson, who is among the reserves even though Schalk Burger has played little since overcoming a knee injury; Bolla Conradie; and the versatile Francois Steyn.
All Black coach Graham Henry has been talking up Saturday’s clash as the "toughest challenge" of his time in charge of New Zealand. No doubt there is plenty of pressure on him.
Coaching controversy
After yet another All Black World Cup meltdown in France (admittedly with some poor refereeing decisions against them), many felt it was time for Henry to go as coach. He was, however, granted a second term in charge ahead of the Crusaders' highly-rated Robbie Deans, who has since left to coach Australia.
All Black fans, like Springboks fans, expect their team to win every game it plays and should the Boks down the Kiwis there is sure to be a groundswell of public opinion saying that the New Zealand Rugby Union hired the wrong coach.
The All Blacks will be without their highly-respected captain Richie McCaw. The 65–test veteran has been sidelined by a serious ankle injury. In his absence, Rodney So'oialo will captain New Zealand from the side of the scrum.
With the dreadlocked So'oialo moving to flank, Jerome Kaino starts at eighthman. Adam Thomson, who made an impressive run-on debut against in the second test against England – a 44-12 win – completes the loose trio. It is an area where South Africa could rule the roost.
Loose trio inexperience
So'oialo is out of position, McCaw is out injured, and the experienced Jerry Collins has retired. Between them, Thomson and Kaino have six caps. So'oialo has 44 to his credit, leaving the Kiwi trio way behind the South Africa loose forward trio in terms of experience.
With the Boks' Smith and Burger regarded as two of the finest flankers in the game, and with their experience of playing together, the Springboks should hold an advantage in this area.
Where South Africa might be a little suspect, and where the New Zealanders will try to put pressure on the visitors is in the front row. They have a solid combination of Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, and Greg Somerville, with Neemia Tialata waiting in the wings.
Lineout weakness
Recently, New Zealand proved to be less than solid against England at lineout time, especially after losing their best jumper Ali Williams to an injury. Although he is a day-to-day proposition, he has been included in the starting line-up.
The lineout will, undoubtedly, be an area that the Springboks will try to attack. In Victor Matfield they have the best lineout forward in world rugby, bar none. Together with Bakkies Botha and Juan Smith, South Africa has the best lineout in the game.
Williams and his fellow lock Brad Thorne will have their work cut out for them, also because the option of McCaw is no longer available. So'oialo, though, has proven himself to be a good option in the set piece.
Andy Ellis teams up with Daniel Carter at halfback, while outside of them Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith are in the midfield.
Midfield match-up
Their match-up against Jean de Villiers and Adrian Jacobs should be fascinating. Nonu is a powerful attacking force whose defence has, at times, been questionable. If anyone is capable of exploiting a weakness it is De Villiers, but Nonu can cut apart even the strongest of defences.
Smith is an intelligent player, much like Jacobs, and, although not blessed with great pace, he is a solid decision maker.
Sitiveni Sivivatu plays opposite Bryan Habana and is a proven finisher. On the opposite wing, Rudi Wulf matches up with Odwa Ndungane. Both players lack experience at test level and much will depend on how well they deal with the pressure of the showdown between the best teams in the world.
At fullback, Mils Muliaina, an excellent counter-attacker, is preferred to the equally good Leon McDonald.
South African chances
It is a good team, but it is reasonable of South Africa to believe that they have a good chance of defeating the All Blacks.
They have more experience, they are the World Cup champions, they have an outstanding captain, and the All Blacks are missing their leader.
The rugby world is waiting with bated breath for the whistle to blow on a classic South Africa versus New Zealand battle. It doesn't get any better than that.
SOUTH AFRICA
- Gurthro Steenkamp
- John Smit (captain)
- CJ van der Linde
- Bakkies Botha
- Victor Matfield
- Schalk Burger
- Juan Smith
- Joe van Niekerk
- Ricky Januarie
- Butch James
- Bryan Habana
- Jean de Villiers
- Adrian Jacobs
- Odwa Ndungane
- Conrad Jantjes
Reserves
Bismarck du Plessis, Brian Mujati, Andries Bekker, Luke Watson, Bolla Conradie, Francois Steyn, Percy MontgomeryNEW ZEALAND
- Tony Woodcock
- Andrew Hore
- Greg Somerville
- Brad Thorn
- Ali Williams
- Adam Thomson
- Rodney So'oialo (captain)
- Jerome Kaino
- Andy Ellis
- Daniel Carter
- Rudi Wulf
- Ma'a Nonu
- Conrad Smith
- Sitiveni Sivivatu
- Mils Muliaina
Reserves
Keven Mealamu, Neemia Tialata, Anthony Boric, Sione Lauaki, TBA, Stephen Donald, Leon MacDonald.
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