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Kabamba vital to Bok victory
24/11/2006 22:16 - (SA)
Hendrik Cronje
London - One swallow does not make a summer, but Kabamba Floors may well be that special player who may put a bit of spring into the Springboks.
The enthusiasm with which Floors and fullback Frans Steyn encouraged their teammates on the practice field this past week, has given South African supporters some hope that a victory in the second Test against England at Twickenham on Saturday is indeed possible.
The inclusion of Floors may have been the injection his teammates needed, many of whom may have started to doubt their own abilities after two consecutive defeats. With one remarkable individualistic performance, Floors can help the Springboks to lift their heads again.
Poor finishing was the biggest factor contributing to the defeat in the first Test last weekend and coach Jake White now believes the Sevens experience and abilities Floors possesses, may cure the other players. He is an excellent link between the forwards and the backline and runs the correct lines to convert possession into tries.
"Hopefully opportunities will be created for him. During the first Test I found myself wondering what would have happened had he been on the field," White said.
It should, however, be remembered that this time the Boks will be playing without loose forward Pierre Spies - thanks to a knee injury - who also has a high work-rate and is a game-breaker himself.
It is also not certain whether flank Juan Smith will be match fit after his calf injury. Should the combination of Floors, Danie Rossouw and Smith click, it would go a long way towards South Africa breaking their losing record at Twickenham since 1997.
Rossouw has maintained a high level of play and there is no doubt that he is the top forward on tour. With Rossouw, Smith, CJ van der Linde and Johan Ackermann all on the field, the Boks will not lack aggression and a physical approach.
Admittedly the Boks loose trio will be neutralised if the tight five again fail to take control up front.
It should be remembered that the current England side is one of the weakest English teams to have faced the Springboks since 1997 and it is quite surprising that a loose forward like Lawrence Dallaglio has not been called up. No 8 Martin Corry does not look like a strong captain at all.
This was highlighted by the fact that England ran onto the field boasting three vice-captains, flyhalf Charlie Hodgson, Peter Richards (scrumhalf) and Ben Kay (lock). Only Richards is in the starting line-up this weekend.
The English will look for an improvement from their centre combination of Jamie Noon and Mathew Tait. They were the reason why England lacked imagination and that vital spark in the first Test. Although flyhalf Andy Goode is a dangerous kicker, the centres remain predictable.
- Volksblad
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