Boks: Hit hard, hit up front
2008-07-17 22:02
Stephen Nell
Perth - Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has made no secret of his plans to hit the Wallabies hard up front in the Tri-Nations rugby Test here on Saturday.
His selection of five forwards among the substitutes for the match at the Subiaco Oval is a clear indication of what the South Africans have in mind. Two prop forwards, Tendai Mtawarira and Brian Mujati, are among those on the bench.
"We have a hard match and a long flight behind us. It is possible that some of the players are a little tired," De Villiers explained on Thursday.
In beating New Zealand 30-28 in Dunedin last week, the Springboks showed that there was nothing wrong with their scrumming, a facet that is traditionally one of Australia's weak points.
The Springboks have the ammunition to deal the Aussies a double blow up front.
But Victor Matfield's men are also well equipped to play running rugby. Conrad Jantjes is back at fullback and Percy Montgomery is, rather surprisingly, not in the match squad of 22.
Pierre Spies returns at No. 8 in place of Joe van Niekerk, which, De Villiers says, was always the intention. Ryan Kankowski is on the bench in place of Luke Watson.
Form will improve
The decision to select Van Niekerk and Watson ahead of Spies and Kankowski for the two matches against New Zealand was a surprise.
Van Niekerk, despite De Villiers's confidence in him, has signed a contract with a French club, Toulon.
Watson's versatility would probably have been invaluable in a match against the Wallabies.
However, Juan Smith, one of the senior players, believes his form on the flank will improve now that Schalk Burger has re-established himself in the team. They have been partners in a number of internationals and they operate together.
"If I look back over the past six months, my form is not where I would like it to be," Smith said on Thursday.
"I was happy with my performances in the World Cup tournament last year. With Schalk back in the team, I believe I can play according to my old game-plan again.
"Schalk is a fetcher and we are accustomed to the defence lines around the scrum. He plays towards the ball and I can run more with the ball.
"That's why I am in the team: to carry the ball and get across the gain line," he said, adding that there was "an unbelievably positive" spirit in the team after last week's victory.
South Africa's team: Conrad Jantjes, JP Pietersen, Frans Steyn, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Ricky Januarie; Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield (capt), Bakkies Botha, CJ van der Linde, Schalk Brits, Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Substitutes: Adriaan Strauss, Beast Mtawarira, Brian Mujati, Andries Bekker, Ryan Kankowski, Ruan Pienaar and Peter Grant.