In Victor Matfield’s absence, Danie Rossouw called the lineouts, ran more with the ball and was one of the Springboks’ most impressive players on the park.
With Matfield set to make his return from a hamstring injury in Friday’s match against Samoa, Rossouw will swap the number five jersey for the number four and revert back to playing a tighter game.
Rossouw said on Monday he would adapt to the role and play things a bit differently.
“Yes my role changes as Victor will be calling the lineouts,” Rossouw said.
“I must clean a bit more and there might be less running from my side.”
As one of the most impressive tight forwards for South Africa at the Rugby World Cup thus far, Rossouw said he was keen to experience his new challenge in the match against Samoa, a team which had shown a lot more patience than it did in the past.
“They (Samoa) did well in their game against Fiji,” he said.
“They built an innings and that is a big thing, or a new thing that I saw from them. They are also a bit more structured and that is what makes them a bit more dangerous at this moment.”
Contrary to popular belief, Rossouw had not taken time to go hunting with some of his Bulls team-mates but instead was obliged to be part of various, exclusive four-balls at Lake Taupo’s golf courses.
One of the men who made sure he chased after the illusive white ball was Matfield – a self confessed golf addict.
Rossouw said the role he had been asked to perform in Matfield’s absence was made easier by his friendship with the giant lock.
“Victor played a huge part in the lineout-calls I had to make, because that is the way we have done things at the Bulls where he would always help me.
“That (learning from Matfield) is a huge privilege because he is one of the best lineout locks in the world and he makes it a lot easier.”
What is wonderfull for me is the respect the players have for their senior players. In this article Danie (76) for Victor(107) and in another one Bismark(40) for Smit(108). This shows how much team spirit means to these guys.
I am really glad that danie has had the opportunity to play lock during this world cup, he seemed to have lost a bit of form in the loose trio. but hell, he has come with a big bang, 140 meters for a lock in a match, that must be unrivalled in world rugby.
@ biltongbek:
So far he must be our man of the tournament. Frans Steyn a “kortkop” behind him, whow has this boykie played himself into my heart. Hope that JdeV gets well soon, but shame his injuries come at the wrong time for him, but not necesarily for the team.
I was reading an article where PDV was saying Frans steyn has done a bit of what we had Juan smith do for all these years, but in my opinion it has been Danie that has done it.
I do agree with you about Frans steyn as well, he is very good at 12. In fact what i would do when jean de Villiers is ready again is to put Jean at 11, he has played wing before and with him added to the rest of our backline we will be very strong in defence and with the more options frans provides us on attack we will be better off than having Jean at 12.
Leave Lambie at 15, his conficdence will grow and he provides us that extra little somthing.
And then what can we say about francois Hougaard, absolutely superb.
Francois Hougaard is my man of the tournament for South Africa so far, he has never had a bad game for the Boks and in fact hardly ever a bad moment. He is the “Brent Russel” factor for us, the opposition has no idea what he is going to do next and his play from the blindside is sublime.
Despite what Pakslae says, I think he is angling for Vic’s job in the starting line up. Thats why he played out of his skin the other day and let me tell you….that is not such a bad idea for Vic to come on as a super sub.
@ 4man:
Please don’t say Brent Russell, the only person getting complimented there is Russell.
Hougaard is streets ahead of where russel ever was.
RWC Mediawatch with Rob Houwing
Cape Town – It is a debate that has raged all season in South Africa, but now seasoned left wing Bryan Habana’s struggle to really assert himself has been noticed further abroad.
Danie has been a great servant of SA rugby. Very seldom doesn’t give his all but in my opinion he is better at lock nowadays than loose forward.
I would leave Frans Steyn at fullback. It was easy for him to shine against the minnow teams. One can’t judge him against them. Last world cup we didn’t play Oz or the Blacks unlike this time. If JdV is fit, he must play centre. If not only then move Frans.
Keep Hougie and lambie on the bench. They cover all the backline positions and can come on when things get tight or the game takes its toll on any of Habs, FdP or JdV.
Danie is at his best at lock. Had a brilliant game against Fiji.
So far for me the the most outstanding Boks are Danie, Frans Steyn and Hougaard.
Frans Steyn is simply superb at inside centre. With him playing there Morne has upped his game as well. Can’t have JdV there. We can see when JdV played inside centre against Wales and then Butch we were never as potent as when Fransie started at 12. Also leave Lambie at fb. He is doing just fine there.
From here on we need momentum can’t keep changing the starting team.
Also looking forward to seeing what Bissie can do from the start. But heck he really smashes up some tired legs when he comes on later. With our super powerful bench we really do have that something extra that no other team in this world cup has.
Go Bokke. Can’t wait for our game on Friday against Samoa. We will know after playing them where the Boks are really at. Just hope no injuries.
@ biltongbek:If we have to fiddle with changes at 11 then I would start with Hougaard. But he sure does bring some fire on later to tired opposition legs. A real live wire is Hougaard. He has been very impressive so far.
Also with Fransie starting at inside centre if we make it to the semi, we don’t have to worry too much about Nonu.
Not sure if any of you watched ‘Road to Nz’ or is it ‘Plan to Nz’ last night. Forget the name of that rugga show, but am really enjoying it every Sunday.
Heck what a panel of brilliant rugby brains that was. Was great to have John Mitchell with H. Meyer on. Really enjoyed their views. Also enjoyed Mitchell referring to Boks as ‘us’ when speaking about the Bokke… 🙂
@ biltongbek:
You miss the point which is the opposition doesn’t know what he is going to do next. Russel was misused and left out when he should have been used. Someone who is fast, able to take a gap and unafraid is always valuable. FdP makes Hougaard look good because he feeds him.
Puma wrote:
with that i think we can do it, let the others do the holding job and send in the cavalry
@ Puma:
15
i missed it , pleaze tell more
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