News and discussion about the Springboks
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.
by Rob Cowie | Allister Coetzee believes the Springboks are stronger than they were in 2007, when they won the World Cup in France. ‘There are a lot of guys in that side that know how to play winning rugby, that know how to get to a final. And there are more than enough leaders. Back then we had to develop leaders, whom are now hardened players. As long as all of them play in New Zealand, we should do well.’
While 18 of the 2007 World Cup winners have been retained in the 2011 team, are they as good as they were in 2007? Age seems to have caught up with a lot of them, but in a short once-off tournament surely they can lift themselves for one last hurrah? The biggest difference in class and skill is clearly to be found in the management staff where the 2007 team had a clear advantage, especially in the coaching, psych, space and attack departments. I have a feeling that this is the area where the 2011 tournamnet will be won and lost.
Check out the direct comparisons below. What do you think?
Eighteen members of the party travelling to New Zealand for the World Cup with South Africa were part of the squad that won in 2007.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers announced his 30 man squad on Tuesday with John Smit again leading the team as they attempt to retain their title. Smit is one of six players set to appear in their third Rugby World Cup.
The Springbok squad to contest the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, was named tonight.
Total caps: 1224 | RWC winners: 18
Forwards:
Willem Alberts, Bakkies Botha, Heinrich Brussow, Schalk Burger, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Francois Louw, Victor Matfield (vc), Tendai Mtawarira, Johann Muller, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Danie Rossouw, John Smit (c), Pierre Spies, Gurthrö Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde.
Backs:
Gio Aplon, Juan De Jongh, Jean De Villiers, Fourie du Preez, Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana, Francois Hougaard, Butch James, Pat Lambie, Odwa Ndungane, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Francois Steyn, Morné Steyn.
Management
Peter de Villiers (head coach), Gary Gold (assistant coach), Dick Muir (assistant coach), Percy Montgomery (kicking coach), Jacques Nienaber (defence coach/physiotherapist), Malome Maimane (technical analyst), Rassie Erasmus (technical specialist), Neels Liebel (conditioning coach), Dr Derik Coetzee (conditioning coach), Dr Craig Roberts (team doctor), Rene Naylor (physiotherapist), Vivian Verwant (physiotherapist), Daliah Hurwitz (massage therapist), Charles Wessels (logistics manager), Mkiti Malakoane (baggage master), Annelee Murray (PR Manager), Andy Colquhoun (media manager).
Click HERE to view the squads of all competing nations.
