Is Now The Time For The Boks?

‘Is Now the Time for the Springboks?’
Turmoil and trouble in the New Zealand Camp leading to the test match on Saturday as opposed to excitement, calm and most importantly confidence in the South African Camp.

With all the All Black changes from last years team and the controversial re-selection of Graham Henry, I will say this, If there was ever a year when the All Black’s can be beaten at home it is 2008. Ireland realised this but could not capitalise on that to O’driscoll’s dismay. After walking all over England, which turned out to be trial games for positions in what seems to be a ‘regular’ starting 22 man squad which Graham Henry had been hugely criticized for in their previous tenure, the new All Blacks face their toughest test yet in 2008.

The Springboks on the other hand opted for a new coach in Peter de Villiers and he wisely took on Gary Gold and Dick Muir as assistants. Muir is largely seen as a serious contender for the top job in the future and Gold played a formidable role in the revival of the Stormers and Western Province rugby prior to and during Rassie Erasmus’s term as head coach. De Villiers has had a winning start in 2008 playing two tests against Wales and a once off against Italy, giving himself enough opportunities to try players indifferent positions in preparation for the Tri-Nations. So far so good but now the real games begin when the World Champions play New Zealand and try and do something they have failed for the last ten years and that is to win on New Zealand Soil.

The psychological battle that the Springboks previously had when facing the All Blacks has diminished and you could say that it is no longer there, and the All Blacks have had nothing but praise for the Springboks. From Politicians praising them a the Prime Minister’s Reception on Wednesday night to several experienced players giving the due respect and expecting one of the hardest games they have played since donning the black jersey. Moving on to the battle on the field…let me just say that this is a mouth watering encounter that is not to be missed and it is going to come down to the finer details from team selection to preparation and that extra second delay getting to the breakdown.

Looking at the battles on the field the guys upfront they have a serious match-up on their hands but I would give this one to the All Blacks and scrum time and the Springboks in the Line-out. Both tight fives are mobile in the loose and with the uncertainty of Ali Williams it may just tip the scales in the Springbok’s favour. The Loosies, well this is going to be where the game is won or lost. The breakdown area is going to be the integral part of the game and it has shown to be so in the Super 14 and with the internationals. The Northern Hemisphere sides were totally cleaned at the breakdown in the international friendly matches played in June and South Africa, New Zealand and Australia all hogged possession because of that. This is just one visible area of the game that the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) have made a difference.

It is no secret that without Richie McCaw playing the All Blacks are vulnerable at the breakdown and this should spark further confidence to the Springbok Camp. This bring in Adam Thomson relatively unknown in this part of the World and after his debut performance against England, he looks like he could be New Zealand’s ace up the sleeve but how well will he handle his first test against the World Champion Springboks?

Looking at the loose forwards head to head the Springboks have a serious upper hand. They have their two best flanks in Burger and Smith, who are among the best in World rugby, and the current in form number 8 in Joe van Niekerk who has shown new found passion and drive and will be a serious threat. Between Burger (40), Smith (45) and van Niekerk (47) they share 132 caps compared to Thompson (2), Kaino (4) and So’oialo (44) who share 50. The experience in incomparable and it will most definitely play a role in the first couple of minutes and settling down into the game as well as in decision making throughout the game.

The battle of the backs will see the team that is given enough ball to play with be more dominant. The key words in that sentence where ‘given enough ball’. If both backlines have the confidence to play their natural game and not get pressured to change their style, then the backs with greater supply of the ball will definitely create more chances. This year the All Blacks have shown a very fruitful conversion rate from the ball they have been provided. Their execution and timing has been the key and they have been looking solid.

The Springboks have also been scoring well and putting together some good plays and the inform attacking players are Jantjes, de Villiers, Jacobs and Habana who has found some form and gained confidence since the start of the Super 14. Defensively I still have question marks in both midfields in Ma’a Nonu for the All Blacks and in Adrian Jacobs or the Springboks and there is no doubt they will both have their hands full marking Jean de Villiers and Conrad Smith respectively. The back three will play crucial roles in bad weather as there will be a lot of kicking and I have no doubt the Springboks will put early pressure on Rudi Wulf playing only his second test for the All Blacks but he is more than capable under the high ball although his kicking is not the greatest. The same applies for Odwa Ndugane, twin brother to World Cup Champion Akona Ndugane who is travelling to New Zealand with the Springboks for the first time and if the New Zealanders are aware of this they will do well to test him early in the game.

All in all it looks to be the Springboks who are the favourites to win but with the All Blacks under Graham Henry being unbeaten at home in 30 matches it will not be easy. The Springboks are far more experienced, they have had a good couple of weeks to prepare without too many issues, they have their inspirational captain who is highly respected by all and they have confidence going into the game. The All Blacks have been talking up the Springboks and praising them left, right and centre and you wonder if this will work for or against them. They could elevate the Springboks to a point where they have too much respect for them, or all the talk could get to the Springboks and they may think the game is theirs prematurely but with a captain like Smit I doubt he will allow that. It’s going to be one not to miss!!