The biggest match in world rugby is on this weekend at Ellis Park when South Africa hosts their old nemesis, New Zealand at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg. The Springboks will go all out guns blazing against the 2014 Rugby Championship winners knowing of the mammoth task that lies ahead having lost a record 51 times.
With the All Blacks having already wrapped up the Rugby Championship there will be less pressure not to chase a bonus point although that elusive win over the Kiwis in front of a 64 500 sell-out crowd will be a big incentive.
Coach Heyneke Meyer believes that if they are to beat the All Blacks tomorrow, they have to counter their brilliant kicking game. Meyer only made one change, with Bismarck du Plessis replacing Adriaan Strauss at hooker, while Schalk Burger has been bracketed at number at Number 8 with the jury still out on Duane Vermeulen’s rib injury.
“If you want to beat the All Blacks you have to counter their kicking game and they have by far the best kicking game. We know exactly what they are going to do and they know what we are going to do,” warned Meyer.
With the All Blacks having already wrapped up the Rugby Championship there will be less pressure not to chase a bonus point although that elusive win over the Kiwis in front of a 64 500 sell-out crowd will be a big incentive.
Coach Heyneke Meyer believes that if they are to beat the All Blacks tomorrow, they have to counter their brilliant kicking game. Meyer only made one change, with Bismarck du Plessis replacing Adriaan Strauss at hooker, while Schalk Burger has been bracketed at number at Number 8 with the jury still out on Duane Vermeulen’s rib injury.
“If you want to beat the All Blacks you have to counter their kicking game and they have by far the best kicking game. We know exactly what they are going to do and they know what we are going to do,” warned Meyer.
“Handre Pollard’s kicking game (at flyhalf) is nowhere where it should be, but he is young, talented and he will learn, while Francois Hougaard and Willie le Roux have made great strides with their kicking game,” Meyer added.
Meanwhile, Springboks legend Victor Matfield believes that the All Blacks are dangerous because they pull off the big moments. But the 116 Test veteran said yesterday it’s often about simplifying things as the Boks chase a win at Ellis Park after five straight losses to New Zealand.
“I think sometimes you can try and overdo everything. We just need to go out there, have our normal week, be low key and by the time the game starts, everyone will be ready. If you play the All Blacks you will be ready, you need to go through the right stuff, do you homework and make sure you know everything and then go on the pitch and deliver,” said Matfield.
Springboks
Willie le Roux, Cornal Hendricks, Jan Serfontein, Jean de Villiers (Captain), Bryan Habana, Handre Pollard, Francois Hougaard, Duane Vermeulen or Schalke Burger, Teboho Oupa Mohoje, Marcell Coetzee, Victor Matfield, Eben Etzebeth, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements
Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Marcel van der Merwe, Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger, Bakkies Botha or Warren Whiteley, Cobus Reinach, Pat Lambie, JP Pietersen
Meanwhile, Springboks legend Victor Matfield believes that the All Blacks are dangerous because they pull off the big moments. But the 116 Test veteran said yesterday it’s often about simplifying things as the Boks chase a win at Ellis Park after five straight losses to New Zealand.
“I think sometimes you can try and overdo everything. We just need to go out there, have our normal week, be low key and by the time the game starts, everyone will be ready. If you play the All Blacks you will be ready, you need to go through the right stuff, do you homework and make sure you know everything and then go on the pitch and deliver,” said Matfield.
Springboks
Willie le Roux, Cornal Hendricks, Jan Serfontein, Jean de Villiers (Captain), Bryan Habana, Handre Pollard, Francois Hougaard, Duane Vermeulen or Schalke Burger, Teboho Oupa Mohoje, Marcell Coetzee, Victor Matfield, Eben Etzebeth, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements
Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Marcel van der Merwe, Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger, Bakkies Botha or Warren Whiteley, Cobus Reinach, Pat Lambie, JP Pietersen
By: Farai Diza
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