Stern test for young Boks By Jacques Van Der Westhuyzen Johannesburg – Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has satisfied the South African public in recent weeks by fielding a bunch of young and exciting players and after two performances of mixed fortune, it is up to these men to now pay Meyer back when the Boks take on Samoa at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. The final of the four-nation series, which has also involved Scotland and Italy, is the Boks’ final dress rehearsal before the Rugby Championship less than two months away, and Meyer will be hoping the faith he has put in certain players pays dividends in what will be the Boks’ toughest Test this year. Meyer picked the form men in Super Rugby for the series and while some of them have shown they have big futures in the green and gold, others need a good outing on Saturday to secure their place in Meyer’s Rugby Championship team. Willie le Roux, at fullback, for one, will want to pay Meyer back for sticking with him throughout the series even though the more experienced and possibly preferred man, Zane Kirchner, is again fit, while JJ Engelbrecht, too, will hope he can put up a good show against a powerful Samoan back division and make the No13 jersey his own. Both men will be put under pressure defensively – possibly the area of their game that has come under most scrutiny in the last year – so this will effectively be the make-or-break game for them. In fact, the whole back division will face a stern test on Saturday. Meyer knows what his backs can produce when they’re on the front foot, but he’s probably not quite sure yet about their defensive capabilities, especially with New Zealand and the like awaiting so, hopefully, Samoa will answer those questions. The key for the Boks is up front where an improved cohesive performance is expected, following the stuttering display against Scotland a week ago. The Boks are a formidable unit in the set-pieces, even if they haven’t quite found their rhythm just yet, but it’s at the breakdowns and in the collisions where Meyer needs to be convinced he’s got the right men for the Bok jobs. With Francois Louw absent last weekend, the Boks battled to assert themselves at the breakdowns, either in securing quick ball for their backs or in slowing down opposition ball, but the return of the former Western Province man should help sort out that area. And should Willem Alberts be deemed fit to play he’ll bring a huge physical presence to the pack and help the Boks gain momentum and thrust at the gain line. Pierre Spies also needs to come to the party in this department. And only when these elements are in place, when the Boks are dominant and in control, can the backs come into the game ... something Meyer said he was hopeful of achieving this weekend. Samoa have probably been the most consistent outfit during the series, comfortably beating Italy and Scotland, and they’ll pose a massive threat to the Boks and should not be under-estimated. The islanders have some powerful runners at the back, among them Alesana Tuilagi, who is sure to feature in many of their attacking moves, but they are far more than just a bully-boy team, as they once were. They’re experienced, mature and crafty and will test the Boks in all departments ... just what Meyer will want before facing far bigger challenges later this season. Having spent three weeks together by the time kick-off arrives tomorrow, it is time for the Boks to show what they’re truly made of – whether they can go into the Tests against Australia and New Zealand with a spring in their step. Or will they finish this series with more questions than answers about the game plan and the playing personnel? TEAMS South Africa: Willie le Roux, Bryan Habana, JJ Engelbrecht, Jean de Villiers (capt)/Jan Serfontein, Bjorn Basson, Morné Steyn, Ruan Pienaar, Pierre Spies, Willem Alberts/Siya Kolisi, Francois Louw, Flip van der Merwe, Eben Etzebeth, Jannie du Plessis, Adriaan Strauss, Tendai Mtawarira. Replacements: Bismarck du Plessis, Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen, Juandré Kruger, Siya Kolisi/Marcell Coetzee, Piet van Zyl, Pat Lambie, Jan Serfontein, Juan de Jongh Samoa: James So’oialo, Alapati Leiua,Paul Williams (capt), John Leota, Alesana Tuilagi, Tusiata Pisi,Jeremy Sua, Taiasina Tuifua, Jack Lam,Ofisa Treviranus, Daniel Leo,Teofilo Paulo,Census Johnston, Wayne Ole Avei, Sakaria Taulafo. Replacements: Ti’i Paulo, Logovii Mulipola, James Johnston, Kane Thompson, Junior Poluleuligaga, Brando Vaaulu, Seilala Mapusua, Alafoti Faosiliva. – The Star
Posted on: Fri, 21 Jun 2013 16:08:40 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015