Springboks hope to upset All Blacks … against the odds
There's a feeling of quiet optimism ahead of the Springboks-All Blacks clash this Saturday.
THERE are three changes to the South African rugby team to take on New Zealand in the away fixture of the Rugby Championship this Saturday, September 16.
The match will kick off at 9.35am South African time.
Tight-head prop Coenie Oosthuizen is out with a broken arm. He is to be replaced by Lions’ prop Ruan Dreyer.
On the flank, Jaco Kriel will miss out due to a shoulder injury. Jean-Luc du Preez will move off the bench into the starting line-up.
The other change is that of the return of lock Franco Mostert, meaning that Pieter-Steph du Toit, who commentators felt had a huge game last Saturday, drops to the bench.
Some fans are predicting that an upset is on the cards, but while this current Springbok team has certainly showed spirit and cohesion, it may be a bit soon to expect them to win in the land of the Long White Cloud.
No doubt they will give it their all. Will it be enough? Hard to say.
The tight five will need to have a massive physical influence, the service to the backline will need to be rapid, and our playmaker Elton Jantjies will need to land every kick.
It’s possible.
The bench is a slight concern for some, with no second genuine flank in there.
In addition, the back-up flyhalf Handré Pollard has had precious little proper game time.
Whatever the case, let’s hope the Springboks can at the very least put up a good fight.
It doesn’t get tougher than playing the All Blacks in New Zealand.
Bring it on.
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STARTING TEAM: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Raymond Rhule, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Uzair Cassiem, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
BENCH: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Pieter-Steph du Toit , 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Damian de Allende.
CURRIE CUP FIXTURES
Friday, September 15:
5pm: Griquas v Sharks in Kimberley.
7.15pm: Pumas v Western Province in Nelspruit.
Saturday, September 16:
5.15pm: Golden Lions v Blue Bulls in Johannesburg.
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LOG (After 8 games)
1 Cell C Sharks 34
2 Toyota Free State Cheetahs 25
3 DHL Western Province 22
4 Xerox Golden Lions 20
5 Steval Pumas 18
6 Vodacom Blue Bulls 18
7 Tafel Lager Griquas 16
* Western Province and Blue Bulls have a game in hand.
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