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CJ: Heat will be up front
23/11/2006 22:08 - (SA)
Adnaan Mohamed
London - The Springboks expect a massive onslaught from the England forwards in the rugby Test match at Twickenham on Saturday - and it will start in the front row, says CJ van der Linde.
The South African loosehead prop, who will oppose the highly rated Julian White in the set scrums, has a good idea of what is coming.
"When we were here in 2004, they took us on up front," Van der Linde said here on Thursday.
"This English pack is not as physical as the one they had in 2004 but English forwards always play a physical game and it won't be any different on Saturday.
"We have worked a bit on our rolling mauls, particularly with a view to the wet conditions.
"If it rains on Saturday, we'll take them on by playing the same game that they play. Pick up and go down the sides."
The Springboks had been talking all week about showing aggression and getting stuck in, but on Saturday they will have to show they can do it on the field, he added.
His move from tighthead to the other side of the front row had been easier that he had expected. "I played at loosehead for the SA Under-19s and Under-21s and it did not require too much of an adjustment.
"It is easier to switch from tighthead to loosehead than the other way round. To play on the tighthead side is much more difficult.
"At tighthead you scrum against two guys. On the other side you scrum only against the tighthead prop."
Van der Linde would have liked to consult veteran Springbok prop Os du Randt before this week's Test but just did not have the time.
"I wanted to send him an SMS," he said, "but at least I will hear after the match what he saw. Then I'll ask him where I can improve."
- Kaapse Son
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