Bok 'broadsword' against Wallaby 'rapier'
LISTEN as Springbok utility forward Pieter-Steph du Toit explains how they plan to blunt the Wallabies’ two-pronged attack at the breakdown in Brisbane on Saturday.
Both teams, Australia and South Africa, have earmarked the breakdown as a flashpoint in the Rugby Championship Round Three encounter.
Back row forward David Pocock, who defied the odds to be selected after being in doubt with a neck injury, looms as a key figure for Australia in what is set to be a ferocious breakdown battle in Brisbane.
Wallaby coach Michael Cheika admitted there is some doubt about Pocock’s fitness.
“He hasn’t done a lot of contact work this week, which is always not good when you’re going into a big game like this,” Cheika said.
“He wants to play at all costs.
“He’s got enough experience to leave him off the odd session here or there, to understand that come game time he will be ready.”
Cheika said he wasn’t tempted to rest Pocock.
“He’s still got a couple of days to go,” Cheika said.
“If he plays we’ve got to make sure that we protect him a little bit more. He’s taken a lot of action to his head and neck and we need to protect him a little bit more if he’s out there.”
With Pocock ‘cleared’, the Wallabies will have two breakdown specialists against a Bok team with plenty of bulk, but very little guile.
Pocock can count on the support of his captain Michael Hooper at the breakdown – with Lukhan Tui the ‘muscle’ in the team.
While Bok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi, by virtue of playing in the No.6 jersey (the number for South African opensiders), will be the team’s de facto ‘fetcher’, Bok coach Rassie Erasmus admitted he is more effective as a ball-carrying loose forward.
No.8 Warren Whiteley fits into the roving role, leaving Du Toit as the sole candidate at the breakdown.
With star hooker Malcolm Marx, the team’s most prolific poacher, on the bench, the Boks will rely on brute force to win the breakdown battle.
Du Toit, who is on the blindside flank in Brisbane and played at lock in the opening week of the tournament, said the intensity with which the Boks play will be vital in this crucial showdown.
He admitted the breakdown has been a massive focus for the Boks this week, adding that it will require a combined effort, not individual endeavour.
“They have some of the best loose forwards in the world,” Du Toit said.
“The breakdown is something they always target and you know that will be a tough contest.
“We will have to lift our game at the breakdown,” Du Toit added.
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