Springboks vs World XV Post Match
Written by Ryan Tuck / Rugby 15
Photo: Werner Nysschen
The Springboks ran out 46 – 10 winners against a World XV at DHL Newlands on Saturday in what would be a good indicator for Heyneke Meyer to see how far along his team are in preparation for, firstly, The Castle Rugby Championship and ultimately the Rugby World Cup.
The Springboks ran in seven tries to one, with Willie le Roux bagging himself a hat-trick, making coach Heyneke Meyer a happy man in that department.
Heyneke was satisfied with the Boks all-round performance but did comment after the game that he was not happy with the Springboks kicking game, saying “some bad habits kicked in where players kicked for the sake of kicking”.
Handre Pollard has had better games in the place kicking department, although it was a little slippery under foot. Heyneke Meyer expressed little concern saying that he is a quality player who will bounce back. Let’s hope he does considering that the World Cup will be played in similar conditions.
The performance of loose trio Louw, Coetzee and Whiteley pleased coach Meyer in the absence of the injured Alberts and Vermeulen.
World XV coach Robbie Deans pointing out that although they do not have the same “over the advantage line” ball carrying abilities, it does add a different dimension the Springboks game.
Deans pointed out that the Springbok team that won the 2007 IRB World Cup was very one dimensional. The game has evolved and the Springbok team going into this World Cup will have to adapt game by game and “this shows when you look at the current squad Heyneke has chosen”.
This year’s Castle Rugby Championship is a much shorter competition, due to the World Cup, with all teams only playing each other once. A shorter turnaround time between games means that there is no time to put the feet up.
Player management will be key for a coach hoping to have a fully fit group of players to choose from come the final World Cup squad announcement at the end of August.
Jean de Villiers will not be travelling with the squad to Australia. Instead, he will be getting some game time with DHL WP in their practice games ahead of the ABSA Currie Cup.
Lots of work still lays ahead for the Springboks and this performance was full of positives.
South Africa
Tries: Willie le Roux (3), Damien de Allende (2), Eben Etzebeth, Cobus Reinach
Conversions: Handre Pollard (2), Patrick Lambie (2)
Penalty: Handre Pollard
World XV
Try: Craig Burden
Conversion: Mike Harris
Penalty: Mike Harris
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