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It’s going to be a great occasion, even greater than a rugby Test between South Africa and New Zealand always is, even more exciting, even a bigger occasion.
Just think of it and you realise it.
Soweto. Brand new stadium in a brand new venue – 90,000 spectators.
John Smit’s 100th Test. Tri-Nations victory. World Cup coming.
Doc Craven said that a rugby Test was a folk festival. It brought people together. This Test will be a folk festival for South Africa bringing people together as happened at the Super 14 Final and as happened during the recent soccer World Cup in South Africa.
For the Springboks it will be exciting – an excitement with a strong component of apprehension as they face the possibility of a fourth straight defeat in the 2010 Tri-Nations and a whitewash by the team which they whitewashed just last year.
The Springboks come off a break of three weeks; the All Blacks played the week before last. The Springboks should be better rested, are at home and should be calmer in their preparation, but it seems that this is not so.
There is uncertainty about injury, there is the whole Frans Steyn saga, there is the unhappiness about the refereeing and there is talk of withdrawing from SANZAR in five years’ time.
There is an air of uncertainty with a tinge of chaos.
The All Blacks on the other hand have an air of deadly calm. They have wafted over the Indian Ocean and are about their business without any sideshows or concerns. All they have to do is pick their team, prepare and play – and walk away with the Tri-Nations.
Will they still be calm on Saturday, out of their insular comfort zone? One would expect them to be adult enough and worldly wise enough to cope.
Will the Springboks come out of the sideshows and rise above the three hidings they have just had in Australasia?
Traditionally the Springboks are best when their backs are to the wall, when they are underdogs. Suggest to them that they are sure to win and they will come apart.
How are the two sides going to play? The All Blacks seem to know only one way – attack with as many players as possible involved with powerful weapons at loose forward and backs who do the simple things so effectively – run straight, pass to the man next to them and watch the last man run free on an overlap – and it takes only one man to score a try. They have been scoring tries all right. In their three matches they have scored 16 tries, four times what the Springboks have scored.
To score tries, you need ball, and the All Blacks have twice beaten the Springboks for ball – in set phases and after the tackle, especially after tackles where the Springboks have been poor. They have kept the ball better and used it better.
For the Springboks it seems that they should get the ball, as they can, and then keep it. If they kick, then it must be to recover the ball, not to set Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane and company running free. The All Blacks will not reciprocate. They will do all in their power to get the best ball for themselves and be miserly in allowing the Springboks only bits of bad ball. It’s worked for them before.
The the All Blacks have such a settled look. Go from 9 to 15 it all looks so settled. Look at the Springboks and only 10 and 11 are settled in their positions. In the pack exchanging Franks is hardly a big deal while the Springbok pack continues to change – one a positive change with the return of noble Juan Smith.
Players to Watch:
For South Africa: You would like to watch John Smit and wish him the best of days on a great afternoon. You would also hope that Gio Aplon and Juan de Jongh get the chance to produce their electric excitement.
For New Zealand: There are lots of All Blacks to watch, starting with the rejuvenated Mils Muliaina and going on to deceptive Cory Jane, masterly Dan Carter, Kieran Read who is probably the find of the 2010 Tri-Nations, bustling Keven Mealamu and, of course, as always, Richie McCaw. Who is going to contain Richie McCaw?
Head to Head: The clash of units – centres against centres, loose forwards against loose forwards, locks against locks and front rows against front rows.
The All Black centres, Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu could test the combined defences of Juan de Jongh and Jean de Villiers, though De Jongh is certainly capable of stopping his man. At loose forward the Springboks desperately need a big game from strong, speedy Pierre Spies. If they play two loose forwards against that New Zealand trio they will come nowhere, as has happened in this Tri-Nations. The line-outs will again be interesting, given the great performances of Tom Donnelly and Kieran Read and the potential of Victor Matfield to clean up.
One of the most interesting contests could be at scrumhalf – two combative players who will not relent, experienced Jimmy Cowan and international rookie François Hougaard. Don’t discount Hougaard.
Then there is the kicking competition and here Morné Steyn may well have the upperhand. Here discipline counts for so much.
The Springboks have suffered most from disciplinary sanctions of a serious nature – four yellow cards and three citings with suspension in four matches. You can’t play against New Zealand like that.
On the other hand the All Blacks have been more penalised – 34 times in three matches to 24 times in three matches by the Springboks. Penalties are potential points.
Let’s hope that this occasion is a good one for rugby – no cards, no moans about the referee, no pointing fingers at opponents – just a dingdong battle.
Recent results:
2010: New Zealand won 31-17, Wellington
2010: New Zealand won 32-12, Auckland
2009: South Africa won 32-29, Hamilton
2009: South Africa won 31-19, Durban
2009: South Africa won 28-19, Bloemfontein
2008: New Zealand won 19-0, Cape Town
2008: South Africa won 30-28, Dunedin
2008: New Zealand won 19-8, Wellington
2007: New Zealand won 33-6, Christchurch
2007: New Zealand won 26-21, Durban
rugby365.com Prediction: Tries count. They boost morale in the side scoring them and dampen the spirits of the side scored against. It seems that the All Blacks are more likely to score tries than the Springboks. The Springboks hurting are more likely to tackle with greater [purpose than they have done before and they may even become cohesive competitors for the ball. If they tackle softly or not at all and get blown away at the tackle, they will lose by more than 10 points. If instead they can dominate possession, they could win by five or so points. But our prediction is victory for New Zealand by fewer than 10 points.
The teams:
South Africa: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 François Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Francois Louw, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Butch James, 22 Wynand Olivier.
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 John Afoa, 18 Samuel Whitelock, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Israel Dagg.
Date: Saturday, August 21
Kick-off: 17.00 (15.00 GMT)
Venue: Soccer City, Soweto
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Alain Rolland (Ireland), Simon McDowell (Ireland)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Article Courtesy of Rugby 365
BOKKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please perform better than your female counterparts.
I’m still reading the intro….
Still reading….
OK, I’m done reading.
GO BOKKE
Its going to be a cracker game.. I actually still dont know which way I think it will go.. I just cant decide!!
I would forgive Straeuli if he missed the Sharks game today. I expect him to do his duty . . . fly up to Jhb and make Cruden an offer he can`t refuse!
If Cruden won`t bite, see if he can`t spot Rene Ranger somewhere . . .!
Interesting to see more comments on the Lions thread at this stage than this one. Shows you I wasn`t wrong to refer to this one as a mere curtain raiser before the match of the weekend!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 1) : Ja, our Bokkies did get hammered. I can´t believe those are our best female rugby players. If anyone´s interested in the lowlights
: http://www.rwcwomens.com/video/index.html?videoid=2039740
@rhineshark (Comment 7) :
Do we need widescreen for the scrum shots?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 8) : Rather widescreen than 3D
@Jarson (Comment 9) :
Bwhahahahahahhaha.
I’d be cowering in the corner of my lounge if it was 3D.
I’ll be missing the 1st 10minutes.
supper about to be served.
Not to long now…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 11) : I hope you’re having ‘Kiwi-a-la-King’
GOOO BOKKE!!!!!!
Well done John on 100 caps, what a moment!
That stadium looks fantastic!!
Game on
Nigel you beauty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nails the Kiwis at the ruck for exactly what Dwyer was moaning about. “going over the top of the ruck on their own ball”
@KSA Shark © (Comment 11) : check it… I can reply!
@Jarson (Comment 13) :
DAMN!!!!!!! Are you psychic???????? Had Chicken Ala king.
@Rahul (Comment 19) : HUH?
@Rahul (Comment 19) : Oh okay i see.
Carter takes 3 points for De jongh putting in a hig tackle.
SA 0 – 3 NZ
6min
No Bladen on duty yet this weekend.
means we will be having him for our game.
Adv Boks
PK Boks for Read going off his feet from the side of the ruck.
I like Nigel Owens.
Howdy!! Score plse!! I are missing the game.
Steyn Slots it!!!!!!!
Boks 3 – 3 ABs
10min
Finally got a decent phone. This game is giving me butterflies!
@wpw (Comment 26) :
at the hairdresser?
Hey Rahul, what phone did u get??
Another shot from Steyn as owens has decided the ABs are getting away with murder and blows up Franks for being on the wrong side of the ruck
Boks 6 – 3 ABs
13min
@KSA Shark © (Comment 20) : Yip!
@wpw (Comment 30) :
ja good question. My N95 is giving me kak and am looking at something new.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 31) : Nice!
Shurrup!!
Pierre Spies you PLANK!!!!!!!!!
IN FRONT of the referee he grabs the scrum halfs hand at the ruck and gives away a PK.!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank Goodness carter hits the upright.
@wpw (Comment 30) : nothing exciting… 5130c2. But its better than samsung!
Scrum Abs 12m from our line after ruck becomes unplayable.
APLON!!!!!!! Drive Muliaina back in the tackle!!!!!!!!
and then Steyn joins the ruck from the side.
Carter going at goal.
Carter hits nothing this time.
Boks 6 – 6 ABs
21min
Juan Smith steals the ABs Lineout ball.
Steyn DG from 3m inside the Abs half. misses to the right.
Abs nailed again for closing off at the rucks after Jpp crashed through a few of them.
Steyn taps and goes from well outside their 22.
Boks go over
Nigel owens once agins shows his quality by confering with a TJ rather than going to the TMMO.
TRY!!!!!!!!!!! Schalk Burger.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 43) :
and the TJ he confered with was Allain Rolland.
Defensive error… Trying to steal the ball but only helping burger over the line:-)
Steyn slots the conversion
Boks 13 – 6 NZ
25min
VRYSTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!
PK ABs on the halfway.
Carter going at goal.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 48) :
Over
Boks 13 – 9 ABs
28min
Nearly 95 000 spectators! Must be amazing atmosphere!
What happened to Flip?
JPP!!!!!!! Carter chips up and under and JPP takes the mark with Abs swarming all over him
quick tap and go.
Hougaard gets taken out by Rokocoko as he steps in front of him
PK Boks
Steyn slots it.
Boks 16 – 9 ABs
31min
@Loosehead (Comment 51) :
split his head open.
Go Bokke!!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 53) : Thanks.
@Loosehead (Comment 55) :
he better come back soon. he went off when we scored the try in the 25th minute.
Abs spread it wide and Woodcock on the wing goes in unchallenged at a casual trot.
Carter misses
Boks 16 – 14 ABs
38min
@KSA Shark © (Comment 57) : Maybe the Boks are scared of splinters
@KSA Shark © (Comment 58) : Got Boks as halftime leaders
@KSA Shark © (Comment 60) :
Juan Smith shoved him out the way, and Burger then connected and drove him into the ground head first with a nice firm faceplant.
He’s up and smiling about it. Way to go Ref.
@Jarson (Comment 61) :
I got the ABs for everything
HALF TIME
South Africa 16 – 14 New Zealand
@KSA Shark © (Comment 64) : Nice, not sure about my Most tries pick, cant find it
Once again this match proves a throught of mine.
You cannot pick players for international games based on CC performances.
The quality of this game is just SO much better than the CC rugby we have witnissed of late.
it is a BIG step up.
Looking good.
Hats off to Hougaard – I questioned his selection, but looking good.
Nice to see JPP’s physicality back – hope he gets a decent run too.
@Jarson (Comment 65) :
you got the Boks for everything.
@Big Fish (Comment 67) :
Both have impressed me as well.
Weepu, Fourie Du preez and Januarie all sharing a joke as they come out of the tunnel after half time.
Ab knock on inside their 22 from the kick-off.
FK SA at the scrum
How is that not a penalty?
Victoria you PLANK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1m from the Kiwi tryline. Hougaard ready to pick it up and Matfield takes it and goes straight forward INTO the ruck.
Scrum SA
@KSA Shark © (Comment 73) :
PK SA for them pulling the scrum around.
@Rahul (Comment 72) :
McCaw at the ruck. he DID let go when told to.
Steyn slots the PK
Boks 19 – 14 ABs
44min
@KSA Shark © (Comment 68) : Thanx
Go Bokke 
Got the Bokke by 8
@KSA Shark © (Comment 75) : still slowed it down… In the RED zone!
juan Smith lovely tackle as he drives Mccaw backwards.!!!
Tackles made
SA 56
AB 29
missed
SA 14
AB 10
@Rahul (Comment 79) :
1st time offence in THIS game
1000 times in his career though
Come on KSA: you can’t tell me that Owens is policing McCaw fairly!
@Big Fish (Comment 83) :
On that occasion i had no problem. on the odd other occassion i have felt that mccaw has held on a split second to long or slowed it down for a split second on the floor, but I’m not falling for the trap of believeing everything the commentators are saying.
Also the ref is NOT penalising US for doing anything like that, so no problem.
he is reffing us both with the same set of laws.
Was that aplon cleaning the ruck!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 84) : There are diffirent sets of laws
@Rahul (Comment 85) : missed it didn’t see.
JPP tackles Carter and manages to keep him out of the goal area.
@Jarson (Comment 86) :
if you have been watching the previous 3Ns matches then you’d be forgiven for thinking so.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 89) :
GIO JOU YSTER !
Francois louw on for juan Smith.
GIO !!!!!!
Gio Aplon tries to pick up Jerome kaino.
What happened on August 16th 2010? Most users online 122
The sticking in on the wrong side for even 5 second is too long.
In any event, we need to go wide more often.
PK Boks for Read joining maul from the side.
CJ on for jannie Dup.
Steyn slots the PK
Boks 22 – 14 ABs
62min
GO BOKKE !!!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 98) : 8 points
No use to kick posession away
@Jarson (Comment 100) :
your margin and a big enough margin to ensure the ABs have to wait another weak before confirming that they have won the 3ns.
Cj gives away a PK by closing the gap at the side of the ruck as mcCaw tries to put pressure on Steyn
Carter slots the PK.
Boks 22 – 17 ABs
68min
@KSA Shark © (Comment 102) : hehehe
Come on Bokke, keep going. You can do it
carter knocks on just outside his 22.
Boks give away FK for early engage at the scrum
Steyn boots a mile down field and it goes dead scrum ABs on our 10m line.
Carter PK and he misses to the left.
two misses tonight.
Come on Bokke!!
Why is it the ABs who are gaining the ascendency in the last 20min and not us?
Ricky on for Hougaard.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 111) :
Hougaard aplon and de jongh are unbelievable strong! MOTM?
Time left??
McCaw over in the corner.
being refered to the TMO but not required IMO
Boks 22 – 22 ABs (IMO)
Hats of Hougaard: I was incredibly impressed.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 115) :
77min on the clock. VERY tight call for the TMO to make.
he is a Saffa.
That forwards pass !!!
Veldsman: “No clear evidence that the player was in touch before grounding the ball”
Try awarded
78 min
Carter misses
Boks 22 – 22 ABs
@ Big Fish, he did good behind a Bok pack playing forward
Isreal Dagg Try!
Bloody HIGHLANDERS!!!!!!
Another forward pass !!!
Disappointing end… But a great game!
Carter Converts
FULL TIME
Springbok 22 – 29 New Zealand.
John Crying.
I feel for him.
What a shame for John Smit, I salute you Captain !
U can see the Blue Bull mentality coming through, losing right at the end
FFS!
Smit deserved better.
But so did the 95 AB’s and the 07 Poms.
Life is a bitch.
We dont drink pink drinks dave!
Don’t worry John, it’s not your fault there’s so many Bulls and Stormers in the squad
You see OuBaas what happens when you short out the ref, it’s costing
A very emotional Mrs. Smit, but I can understand, oh so close
Pride can only take you so far… and we didn´t completely comprehend the concept of `play the ref`
@ Oubaas, costing us 12 points
Stransky startiing to drink early, All Blacks just won the Vodacom Super 14
Fact is that they played better.
We still have ornamental wings, for example. 2 of the quickest backs in world rugby, but purely ornamental.
I blame steyn! Too many poor choices and bad kicks at critical times
That last pass was forward to Dagg
@Big Fish (Comment 138) :
JPP didn’t look to quicke when he was SORT OF chasing down isreal dagg for the last try.
Oh and most importantly.
HH.
Congrats on your team winning the Tri-Nations mate. Well Done.
Why sub the two guys playing the best rugby of the day?
KSA: he seemed to injure his hammy at the 60 min mark. Hope he doesn’t need to cry off.
what a great game i really thought that SB were going to win this on but
sorry guys
First of: Congrats to HH !
I`m guessing the calls for John Smit`s head will sound louder than ever now . . .
Although I must say those substitutions had me baffled.
I will admit we came closer than I thought.
@Original Log Leader (Comment 146) : @KSA Shark © (Comment 142) :
Cheers chaps …i thought it was a fascinating match.
So much happened …. leaving both sides with a lot to get correct going into RWC year…..14 months away.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 147) :
I’ve just read that this was the All Blacks’ 1000th win.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 148) :
I haven’t been counting !
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 149) :
That’s according to Wynne Gray.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 150) :
He’s sad enough to know !