South Africa v Scotland: Six most threatening players
OPINION: The Springboks are favourites by a good mile, and who wouldn’t want to be branded the underdogs against the world champions? It removes the shackles, it eases the pressure, and it spikes motivation. It gives a license to thrill.
But the Scots don’t need permission to play attractive rugby, it’s where they shine, and their ball-in-hand display against Argentina last weekend was of the highest quality.
But they will be up against a different kind of challenge this week.
Jonny Gray is the only player in the Scottish group who has played against the Springboks in South Africa, and that is a tantalising subplot all on its own – every one of their players will have a point to prove in the second round of the Nations Championship when Gregor Townsend’s men run out at Loftus against the world’s best team.
It doesn’t get much bigger than this for Scotland, who haven’t enjoyed (if that’s the fitting word) as many Tests against the Boks as the other United Kingdom nations. With the new international structure comes new opportunities to test yourself against the benchmark team, and the visitors will be out to make the most of that yardstick.
Both teams have X-factor and both know how to get the ball moving, be it through beautiful, structured or unstructured attack or tactical know-how with the boot.
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We look three of the most threatening players from each side.
South Africa:
Damian Willemse
The experienced utility back was a one-man show in the Boks’ 45-21 dismantling of England at Ellis Park.
He was massive on defence and a beast under the high ball, a trait that will come in handy against a side that are always keen to set up opportunities for their dangerous kick-chasers.
The Stormers man will face a stern challenge in the midfield against Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu. Stopping the freight train that is Tuipulotu and cutting down his offloading options will be vital in containing their backs’ influence out wide.
Willemse might wear a different number on his back this weekend, but there’s good reason to believe his presence will remain the same.
Embrose Papier
The breakdown will be a fiercely contested battle, quick ball will be one of the missions of the day, and every second will count. That’s where Papier’s reaction time comes in.
But it’s not just around the fringes and at the base of the ruck that his ever-ready presence and quickness will be an asset; if, or when, Scotland create chaotic situations, there is no man more qualified to pounce in unstructured play than Papier.
His testing box kicks and characteristic sniping are enough to keep any team on their toes, and seeing how the URC SA Player of the Season goes in his first Test in eight years is a salivating prospect.
Wilco Louw
South Africa’s front row factory is the gold standard, and Louw is one of its finest products.
The Bok tighthead is the definition of “scrum anchor” with his build and scrummaging technique, one that’s so powerful and refined that few outside the tight five can attempt to provide an analytical description that would do it justice, and then there’s his physicality in the tight exchanges.
Watching him go up against his former Bulls teammate and Scotland loosehead Pierre Schoeman will be one of the finest match-ups.
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Scotland:
Finn Russell
The Magician will lead the charge in terms of key men against the Boks, and no team will test his famed sleight of hand more than the hosts.
His bag of tricks include no-look passes, bold offloads, perfectly-timed cross-kicks, and magnetic grubbers, and while he’s a specialist at catching opposition defences off guard, he’ll face a different challenge this week.
If anybody can create something from nothing, it’s him.
Kyle Steyn
The South African wing terrorised opposition defences out wide in the United Rugby Championship, and nobody would know his threat better than the Bulls, who make up the majority of the Bok squad this week.
Steyn is a devastating kick-chaser and his defence doesn’t lack either, he’s not just your textbook wing, and it’s in all those additional strengths that his potency lies.
Pierre Schoeman
He’s a fine example of the modern prop.
Outside of his scrummaging ability, he’s a powerful ball-carrier and aggressive presence in the loose, be it at the rucks or on defence.
He is South African physicality personified, but he will no doubt be tested against the original owners of physical dominance.
