It’s more than a Test match
It’s a matchup of the two greatest teams in Rugby. The Springboks host the All blacks in Johannesburg, at Ellis Park. This is a ground that has seen the All blacks lose eight of the thirteen clashes there, including the 1995 Rugby World Cup final. It’s not just the rugby championship on the line but pride, world dominance and superiority. The enormity of the game has also seen All black talisman Richie McCaw return early from a knee injury to lead the side. The Springboks need to score four tries, and win by more than seven points to secure the title. No easy feat against the world champions who under Hansen have only lost one game against a fired up English side at Twickenham. The Springboks lost against the All blacks under dubious conditions with their best player on the day receiving a red card that tilted the odds towards the home side a month ago.
Veteran hooker Mealamu admitted the challenge they face, especially at a venue that intimidates the All blacks. The Springboks will have to step up to the plate from a sloppy display against the Australians last week. A tweak in their more conservative game plan will be duly needed as they will need to or rather better execution, trojan like defence which will fight fire with fire. How to beat the All blacks? Combat them upfront, rough them up, and disrupt their possession. Set piece dominance will also be key, with the Bok scrum rampant when du Plessis was on the field a month ago. WithLa bête, or better known as Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira set to play his 50th game against them; he will look to have a big game.
The Springboks are set to measure themselves against the best team in the last four years; if England could they can do it too. They have nothing to lose bar they are under dogs already. So much to gain, the world number One spot, the Rugby Championship and surely a mental edge over an ageing All black side with the World Cup two years away. Bismarck and McCaw will be the players to watch. The hooker’s presence will no doubt lift his team mates and the Stadium as well while McCaw’s’ leadership will be key to try help the All blacks succeed in their boggy venue. Nigel Owen must just be invincible, referee the game with dignity and unlike a month ago we have a spectacle on our hands. We want to watch the rugby not another refereeing blunder-spree.
Benedict Chanakira
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