Boks go big for World Cup opener
Brad Morgan
7 September 2007
The Rugby World Cup gets under way on Friday night when France take on Argentina in the first game of the tournament. The Springbok challenge begins in Paris on Sunday against Samoa and the selectors have opted for big beef and tall timber to repulse the islanders' challenge.
Not only has a massive forward pack been selected – with a combined weight of 940 kilograms - but the team is also the most experienced Bok team of all time, with 609 caps to their credit.
Two changes
There are only two changes to the starting line-up that beat Scotland 27-3 in South Africa's final World Cup warm-up game. One of those sees captain John Smit return at hooker, while the other sees Jean de Villiers back at inside centre in place of Francois Steyn.
Gary Botha, who started at hooker against the Scots, has been left out of the match day 22, with Bismarck du Plessis cracking the nod on the bench. Steyn is one of the reserves
while, surprisingly, the versatile Ruan Pienaar has been left out; Ricky Januarie will cover Fourie du Preez at scrumhalf.
He, Steyn and Andre Pretorius are the backline players in a split of three backs and four forwards among the seven substitutes.
Biggest question
The biggest question ahead of the naming of the starting fifteen revolved around the position of right wing. JP Pietersen, who started against Scotland, but didn't impress, retained his place.
The least experienced member of the Bok side, with just eight caps to his name, his handling and kicking at Murrayfield was disappointing. However, backline coach Allister Coetzee says a lot of work has been put into that aspect of Pietersen's game.
Coetzee says the Springboks wanted speed out wide for the contest against Samoa, and thus it was decided that Pietersen would start the match. Although he is at times frustratingly inconsistent, the Sharks' winger also has
game-breaking ability and topped the Super 14 try scoring charts.
Coetzee also reckons Pietersen's experience playing in back three with Percy Montgomery for the Sharks helped his case. In addition, he cited Pietersen's size as a plus against a physical Samoan backline.
Smit's return
The return to the team of captain John Smit is a huge plus for the Boks. His influence as the leader of the side cannot be underestimated. If there is such a thing as a born leader, Smit is one. He last played for the national side when he injured a hamstring against Australia in June.
De Villiers, meanwhile, suffered a rib injury in South Africa's huge 105-13 win over Namibia at Newlands but, aided by hyperbaric oxygen treatment, he has been included in the team to face the Samoans. Springbok fullback Andre Joubert underwent similar treatment in 1995 after breaking a hand; it worked and he was able to take his place in the final against New
Zealand.
As is the traditional South African way, the first order of business for the Boks will be to establish superiority in the set pieces. The front row is very experienced, with Os du Randt (74 caps), Smit (67 caps), and CJ van der Linde (41 caps) doing duty, and they should provide the Samoans with plenty of headaches.
Lock combination
Behind them Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha combine at lock for a Springbok record 32nd time in a test. While Matfield is widely regarded as the leading lineout forward in the world, Botha is also pretty much a sure thing on his lineout ball and he fulfils his role of Bok 'enforcer' with enthusiasm.
The loose trio, too, is big. In fact, any of the three players – Schalk Burger, Juan Smith and Danie Rossouw – if they were not such effective players in the loose, have the size to play in the second row.
Fourie du Preez will direct matters from scrumhalf. He showed in his return to action
against Scotland that concerns about possible rustiness after a long time on the sidelines are unfounded. Apart from scoring a scintillating try, he kicked with authority and passed well, clearing the rucks with precision.
Butch James starts at flyhalf ahead of Andre Pretorius. James brings a physical presence to the number-10 jersey, which is the kind of game well suited to a clash against the hard-tackling Samoans.
Midfield combination
Outside of James, De Villiers teams up with Jaque Fourie in an established midfield combination. Both players bring size at centre, but De Villiers has some remarkable skills for such a big man and Fourie runs well off of his midfield partner.
Bryan Habana is in at left wing; He showed against Scotland how devastating his pace can be by scoring an easy try as he sliced through a gap. With Habana in the line-up, the Boks always pose a threat of turning defence into tries in a matter of seconds. The Blue
Bulls' flyer has done it enough times for people to recognise that it is more than a matter of luck.
Pietersen is on the opposite wing, while Montgomery brings the experience of 87 tests to his position at fullback. His tactical awareness – including intelligent running lines on attack – along with his calm manner on defence is an invaluable asset for the Springboks, especially when combined with his accurate and reliable goal kicking.
SA vs Samoa history
South Africa and Samoa have met in five tests previously, with the Boks winning all five matches. Most recently, they met in June at Ellis Park when an understrength Springbok team triumphed 35-8. That is the closest the Pacific islanders have come to challenging for a win.
On three occasions, the Boks have run up exactly 60 points against the Samoans, including a 60-10 win in the 2003 World Cup. In their only other World Cup meeting, South Africa dumped Samoa 42-14 at Ellis Park in
1995.
With an average margin of victory of 51-12 over Samoa, John Smit's men will go into the game in Paris as heavy favourites.
As far as the score goes, there are no givens. One thing is certain, however, and that is that the Samoans will play a physical game. With injuries having in the past often played a crucial role in the outcome of the World Cup, coach Jake White will be happy if his team makes it through the contest without an injury.
Samoan setbacks
Sadly for Samoa, who can ill-afford injuries because they don't have the depth that the Springboks have, they lost two players in warm-up matches for the World Cup. Prop Donald Kerslake is out of the tournament with broken ribs, while lock Filipo Levi will miss out after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured eye socket.
Levi, who plays Super 14 rugby for the Highlanders, will be sorely missed. The Springboks are acknowledged as one of the best, if not the best team, at
lineouts and his absence could result in the Samoans having to absorb extra pressure in the set pieces.
SA lineout kingpin Victor Matfield has been studying video of the Samoan lineout, seeking weaknesses, and together with his lock partner Bakkies Botha will be aiming to put pressure on the opposition's throw-ins.
The pair is widely regarded as the number one second row combination in the game, but they're not resting on their laurels and are aiming to elevate their play higher than ever before at the World Cup.
Winning attitude
It is the kind of attitude that South Africa needs to win the William Webb Ellis Trophy. If the attitude matches the execution, the Springboks have a decent chance of walking away with the honours.
Bok rugby fans are excited about their team's chances. In polls conducted on South African websites about the World Cup, the fans (disregarding whether they have voted with their hearts or their heads) have
consistently voted the Springboks as the most likely winners of the World Cup.
All that remains is for the players to deliver on the field and justify that optimism.
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