Bok coach Peter de Villiers made nine changes to his match-day 22 and looking at the selections the Boks are seemingly preparing to run what is bound to be a ring-rusty Aussies outfit off their feet.
In two weeks the Boks gifted New Zealand 10 log points in a competition that has been won by a team scoring only 14. With this in mind the Springboks now know if they stand any chance of winning the Tri-Nations trophy a couple of bonus point victories is an absolute must, starting this weekend against the Australians.
The first thing that will jump out at any person going through the starting 15 will be the fact that no specialist fetcher will be starting, unless of course you believe Schalk will fulfil that role which seems unlikely given his role in the Stormers this year which was more of a linking, ball-carrying loose-forward.
De Villiers has gone with two attacking minded loose-forwards in his starting 15 opting to start Ryan Kankowski in the number 7 jersey with Pierre Spies, having been a bit anonymous in recent tests against the All Blacks retaining his number 8 jersey.
In addition to this De Villiers also dropped Ricky Januarie from his match-day 22 completely opting for a more attack minded and quicker Ruan Pienaar at 9, with the young but exciting Francois Hougaard providing cover from the bench.
Gio Aplon is also included on the wing albeit for a forced change for the suspended Jean de Villiers. De Villiers also could have opted for a more game-breaking option of Juan de Jongh at 12 but one has to remember that Olivier and Morne Steyn has combined well in the midfield as part of a Bulls team that scored a number of tries in the recent Super 14.
The Boks are obviously banking in getting ascendency at the set pieces against an Aussie tight 5 that struggled in the scrums against England in their recent tests and with all three loosies also being line-out options in addition to the obvious lock options it is clear that they would expect solid platforms from where to attack the Aussies from everywhere.
Even Danie Rossouw at lock who has covered loose-forward a number of times in his career is a ball-carrying and linking option for an attack-minded Bok side.
De Villiers has cover on the bench if this backfires with Dewald Potgieter being able to bring more balance to the loose-trio but I believe the message is clear – the Boks are going for a 4-try bonus point win before they return home to regain some respectability from their overseas leg of the tour and set themselves up for a chance to retain the Tri-Nations crown when they will host both nations at home in August and September.
Springbok team:
15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Ryan Kankowski, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 BJ Botha, 2 John Smit (c), 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Reserves: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Dewald Potgieter, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Butch James, 22 Juan de Jongh.
The same idea that I got Morne…
However I dont think this is a good thing, we must focus on our own game plan and not try and take the Aussies on on their game plan.
One year out we must start focussing on and start playing towards our own strengths.
This reminds of Peter’s first game plan he tried to enforce…
@ Blouste:
Dont think it is all bad, I believe we will have greater ascendency in the scrums and line-outs than we did against the All Blacks with only the tackle area being a bit of a grey area and risky given the selections.
However, expect the Boks to try and keep the ball off the ground as much as possible, playing a more Jake White styled tackled area game where we incorporate a Z-axis game in addition to an X and Y axis’ – remembering, the Aussies has a zero Z-axis game.
@ Morné:
I hear you. What’s troubling me more is what game plan will we take to the All Blacks when we face them back home here in SA …
Do you think the same, and will it work ?
I dont think it’s time to panick for the Bok setup and I cant see players like Kankowski go to the WC as a flanker, why not include the personel you want to win the WC 2011 with ?
It’s like the Italy tests, I believe a lot of players could’ve been dragged into the system then to start giving them the necessarry exposure.
@ Blouste:
Back home will be completely different.
Juan, Bismarck and JPP to name a few will be back then – changes a shit lot of dynamics.
Boks are gambling, and rightly so imo.
@ Morné:
Talking about Bismarck…
Whats up with Barney.
Should’nt he get a month or two for conditioning ?
@ Morné:
Yes I suppose gambling is the right word, but can you imagine the chaos should we lose badly to the Aussies aswell ?
@ Blouste:
If he is indeed moved back to hooker permanently, the management of this leaves a lot to be desired, he needed to go on a reconditioning program.
That said, he is amongst a number of senior Boks that will go on one (pulled from CC) to do just that following the 3N.
@ Morné:
Judging by their performances a lot of the need it big time.
I think physically as much as mentally.
All preparations from here on must be with the WC in mind.
Still think we could’ve gained a lot of ascendency if we managed to topple the All Blacks in their back yard the year before the WC.
Will there be a Tri-Nations next year and the question remains will we see second stringers participating in the tournament…
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