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Crunching battle of the props
31/05/2006 21:33 - (SA)
Hendrik Cronje
Bloemfontein - Springbok loosehead prop Deon Carstens does not plan to run away from the expected crunching battle with the strongman of the World XV, Cobus Visagie.
The two will meet in the world team's one-off match against the Springboks at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Carstens also wants to make sure he stays in the running for next year's Rugby World Cup after Visagie earlier made no secret of the fact that he would return to South Africa with the same aim, if asked to do so.
Carstens has asked the injured Bok loosehead Os du Randt for advice how to tame the powerful Visagie.
Carstens realises Saturday's match could be his biggest challenge of the year after he played well in the Super 14 series.
Visagie on the other hand will have just one aim in mind and that is to ensure that Bok coach Jake White takes note of his scrumming.
Carstens said: "I'm really looking forward to this tussle.
Both want to impress White
"If you want to wear the Bok jersey, you've got to be able to stand firm against someone like Cobus.
"There're few tightheads in the world with the same class as Cobus."
While Visagie will want to impress White, Carstens will want to do the same. He also has to compete with Du Randt and Gurthro Steenkamp for a place in the Bok team.
Carstens said: "There will always be competition for inclusion in the Bok squad, but I try not to think of it.
"I'm going to do my best and hopefully show that I can do what's expected of me.
"It's going to be a tough encounter, but I believe it will be a good experience.
"It will be the first time that I've scrummed against Cobus, because I only started playing loosehead this year. I played tighthead (when Visagie was the opposing No 3).
"With Cobus in the engine room, you know your opponents will have a good scrum.
"I've spoken to Os about Cobus, because he's often scrummed against him and we've come up with a few plans that will hopefully work."
Better at loosehead
He makes no secret of the fact that his decision to move from tighthead to loosehead has been responsible for the revival of his rugby career
"I won't say I won't play tighthead again, but it seems as if I'm playing better now that I'm at loosehead.
"I get more opportunities to carry the ball in the tight loose.
"I think my play in the tight loose is one of the reasons why I've been given another chance at international level. I hope to make a contribution to this phase of play."
- Volksblad
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