News and discussion about the Springboks
The Boks won a close physical contest 13 – 5 against the Samoans to advance to the quarter-finals and a probable match against Australia.
15 Patrick Lambie – 7
Fearless under the high ball, made a try saving one-on-one tackle and regularly joined the line at pace. Excellent game from the 20 year old.
by Thomas Rooney South Africa assistant coach Dick Muir has claimed that there is no chance that the World Champions will be taking Samoa lightly tomorrow when the two teams meet in their latest World Cup match.
The Springbok team to play Samoa has been announced:
15. P Lambie, 14. JP Pietersen, 13. J Fourie, 12. F Steyn, 11. B Habana, 10. M Steyn, 9. F Du Preez, 8. P Spies, 7. S Burger, 6. H Brussow, 5. V Matfield (c), 4. D Rossouw, 3. J du Plessis, 2. B du Plessis, 1. T Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16. J Smit, 17. G Steenkamp, 18. CJ Van der Linde, 19. W Alberts, 20. F Louw, 21. F Hougaard, 22. J De Villiers
The Boks beat the Fijians at their own game with a commanding display of total rugby, scoring six tries while keeping the islanders try-less. We rate the Boks’ performances:
15. Patrick Lambie [6]
Solid all round performance. Not really tested under the high ball, but performed his defensive duties well. Was also on the receiving end of some big hits!
Zinzan Brooke states that the Springboks weren’t the best team in the world when they won the World Cup in 1995 and 2007, instantly losing his entire South African fanbase. Have another Heineken Zinnie!
Date: Saturday, September 17
Venue: Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 08.00 RSA (06.00 GMT)
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: George Clancy (Ireland), Vinny Munro (NZ)
TMO: Matt Goddard (Australia)
South Africa – 15 Pat Lambie, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Odwa Ndungane, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Danie Rossouw, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit (c), 1 Gurthro Steenkamp
Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Johann Muller, 19 Willem Alberts, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Juan de Jongh.
Fiji – 15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Vereniki Goneva, 13 Gaby Lovobalavu, 12 Seremaia Bai, 11 Naipolioni Nalaga, 10 Waisea Sedre Luveniyali, 9 Nemia Kenatale, 8 Sakiusa Matadigo, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Dominiko Maiwiriwiri Waqaniburotu, 5 Wame Lewaravu, 4 Leone Nakarawa, 3 Deacon Manu (captain), 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Campese Ma’afu.
Replacements: 16 Telemaitoga Dautu Tuapati, 17 Waisea Nailago, 18 Netani Edward Talei, 19 Sisa Koyamaibole, 20 Vitori Tomu Buatava, 21 Nicky Little, 22 Gaby Lovobalavu.
By Laureus World Sports Academy Member and manager of 1995 South African World Cup winning team MORNÉ DU PLESSIS
I was very relieved that the Springboks won their first match in the Rugby World Cup, beating Wales 17-16, but my goodness it was close.
I thought the Welsh played really well, had a great game plan which they stuck to and we were only able to hang on to win thanks to some very experienced heads in our team.
by Rob Cowie The Springboks ran out narrow 17-16 winners in their opening game of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. For once it was the replacements who made a big impact off the bench. The best players on the day were Frans Steyn, Schalk Burger, Heinrich Brussow, Francois Hougaard and Bismarck du Plessis. Here is what we thought of the individual performances.
15. Frans Steyn [8] – Started well on attack with an excellent try in the corner and some booming touch-finders. Took a more defensive role in the second half, and his positional play was good. Made the Welsh think twice about kicking onto him.
by Rob Cowie | While Springbok supporters have renewed hope that their team can retain the Rugby World Cup, any number of potential pitfalls – some avoidable and some not – could derail the campaign. The top ten:
1. Playing John Smit at prop
If Gary Gold persists with this folly, expect the Bok scrum to be back-pedalling all the way home to South Africa without any silverware.
