Matfield: Dan a bigger threat

2008-08-20 22:07

Liam Del Carme

Durban - Former South African Dan Vickerman can be an even greater threat to the Springboks than Nathan Sharpe would have been in the Tri-Nations rugby Test here on Saturday, says Victor Matfield.

Sharpe, known for his ability to get stuck in, has been dropped from the Wallaby team after a so-so performance against New Zealand in Auckland recently.

The Wallabies may miss his aggression on the drive and his work in the tight loose but Springbok captain Matfield believes Vickerman holds more of a threat because he has the ability to neutralise one of South Africa's main strengths.

Vickerman is extremely skilful in the lineout, as is Matfield. Besides winning his own team's lineouts he has a knack of poaching the opposition's ball.

Matfield realises that the speedy Australian backline can cause problems if the Wallabies disrupt South Africa's lineout.

"With Dan in their team, it will be tougher in the lineout because he is a better jumper than Nathan," Matfield said on Wednesday.

"Nathan is a good ball carrier and he has other skills but when it comes to the lineout it will be harder (for the Springboks)."

Poor tactical kicking

Thanks to Matfield, the Springboks did well in the lineout when they lost to the All Blacks last week. They also had New Zealand under pressure in the scrum.

Where they did come short at Newlands, was in their tactical kicking. Percy Montgomery, Butch James and Fourie du Preez lacked accuracy.

But Springbok coach Peter de Villiers believes they were not too far off target.

Tactical kicking, he argues, is only effective when players chase after the ball with determination.

"I don't think there was much wrong with our kicking. We could have put more pressure on them (the All Blacks) but we did not follow up.

"We kicked too far once or twice but sometimes you can't control the bounce of the ball.

"Maybe we'll have to consider other options to improve but we will certainly have to chase harder".

De Villiers does not believe the Wallabies will apply as much pressure through tactical kicking.

New Zealand flyhalf Dan Carter often finds space behind the opposition's wings but Australia's Matt Giteau tends to try finding his own wings when he crosskicks.

- Beeld