Springboks tear Uruguay apart
Brad Morgan
13 June
The Springboks opened their international season by setting a host of records in a 134-3 thrashing of Uruguay in East London.
They annihilation exceeded their previous biggest victory – 101-nil versus Italy in Durban in 1999. The Boks also ran in a South African record 21 tries, with Tonderai Chavanga setting an SA record on his debut, when he crossed for six tries.
However, Chavanga is likely to lose his place in the Springbok team for the coming weekend's first test against France. That fact speaks volumes about the wide chasm between the professional rugby players in the Springbok team and the amateurs in the Uruguay side.
A mismatch
While the South African players and management said all the right things afterwards, about how it was a good dress rehearsal for the battle that is sure to follow against the French, it didn't do the game of rugby any good. Watching as an impartial observer, the 'contest' was
anything but that, and it was the kind of mismatch that shouldn't occur in the international game.
The Boks led 56-3 at the break, and added a further 78 points in the second stanza, in front of a small crowd. Apart from Chavanga's six tries, Bryan Habana, Solly Tyibilika, Jean de Villiers, and Albert van den Berg scored two each, while there was one apiece for Marius Joubert, debutant Enrico Januarie, Danie Rossouw, Gurthro Steenkamp, Jacques Cronje, Jaque Fourie, and Jaco vander Westhuysen.
The kicking, which could be vital against the French, left something to be desired. Percy Montgomery, who hasn't been kicking for Newport in the Welsh club season, landed only seven of 13 attempts at goal. Jaco van der Westhuysen, meanwhile, slotted seven conversions, leaving the Boks with 13 out of 21 overall.
On the positive side, the Springboks maintained their shape and never let up thyeir assault throughout the contest. In the past, they had been guilty of letting their
standards slip when faced with lesser opposition.
Coach happy with flyhalf play
After the game, Bok coach Jake White declared himself especially with happy flyhalf Jaco van der Westhuysen's display. He said the number-10 showed good pace and hands, and added that he was named player of the match in the South African change room.
He also complimented Van der Westhuysen's kicking, which he termed better than ever.
Van der Westhuysen, who plays for Japanese club, NEC, is sure of his place in the Springbok starting fifteen for the first test against France in Durban on 18 June, but there should be a number of changes to the side that whipped the Uruguayans.
Percy Montgomery is secure at fullback, but Tonderai Chavanga will most likely make way for either Jaque Fourie or Jean de Villiers, depending on where the SA selectors opt to play De Villiers.
The exciting Bryan Habana, after a storming Super 12, should occupy the left
wing berth.
Questions at centre
At centre, De Wet Barry, De Villiers, and Marius Joubert will contest the two places. De Villiers remains a problem of the best kind for coach White; he possesses silky skills, which make him an extremely versatile and useful player, who can play anywhere in the backline.
In front of flyhalf Van der Westhuysen, Enrico Januarie, who like Chavanga scored on his Bok debut, will move aside for Fourie du Preez. The Bulls' number-nine was a standout performer during the Super 12 and put some space between himself and the other challengers for the national team jersey.
Like Du Preez, Jacques Cronje enjoyed a strong Super 12, and he should hold on to the eighthman position ahead of Joe van Niekerk, who was the first choice in 2004. 'Big Joe', like most of his Stormers' teammates, had a less than impressive Super 12 and will probably be included on the bench.
Options at
lock
At lock, Victor Matfield, many people's player of the Super 12, will return to the second row, but his regular partner, Bakkies Botha, is out of action for six to eight weeks. That means one of Albert van den Berg or Gerrie Britz, both of whom started against Uruguay, could replace him. Another option is to move Danie Rossouw, who played flank against the South Americans, to lock.
Looking further afield, there is a possibility that Greg Rawlinson, who plays in the second row for the Auckland-based Blues could be called up. White was recently in contact with the former Natal man about the possibility of him returning to South Africa.
Rawlinson played only one match for the Sharks' Super 12 team before he was signed by North Harbour in New Zealand in 2003, on the advice of former All Black eighthman Murray Mexted. He would bring the kind of physical presence to the Springbok team that White would like to see in the second row.
From Durban High
School, Rawlinson is the nephew of long-time Natal hooker Don Spiers.
Burger in at flank
Schalk Burger is set to return at flank. The 2004 IRB international player of the year has found 2005 a far more difficult season than 2004. He has struggled somewhat with exhaustion and the opposition now knows what to expect from him, and they can thus plan their game to negate his talents.
With AJ Venter on the sidelines, there are a number of possibilities on the opposite flank. Solly Tyibilika enjoyed a good outing against Uruguay, while Danie Rossouw could be in the mix, depending on how the selectors look at the lock positions. Juan Smith is another possibility.
Up front, captain John Smit owns the hooker position, Os du Randt will play on the loosehead after being rested against Uruguay, and CJ van der Linde, his front row partner for the Cheetahs and Cats, will play at tighthead.
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