Hard yards key for World XV
Nick Mallett knows that his star-studded World XV backline will not be able to do much against the Springboks unless some hard work is done up front.
Mallett named an exciting team to take on the Boks at Newlands on Saturday, and despite their lack of preparation time there are enough big names on board to punish any side that gets sloppy.
Although there are some exciting combinations out wide, Mallett's first concern is getting them some ball to work with against a powerful Springbok pack that will want to get them on the back foot quickly.
"What is going to be absolutely paramount on Saturday is stopping the Springboks' ability to go forward, they are such a good team and they are so physical that you can have the most skilful players in the world but if you don't get front-foot ball it is very difficult for them to play," he said.
That battle will start at the set-pieces, and Mallett is confident that he has the key areas covered to be able to compete with the Boks.
"It doesn't matter what backline you put into play, if you haven't got that aspect of your game sorted out – your own ball – then you get into a lot of trouble.
"I'm quite happy with our scrum, I don't think we will battle in the scrums and I think our line-outs with those two guys and Juandre [Kruger] calling we will be able to win our own ball," he said.
With the line-out a key attacking platform Mallett decided to go with two No.5 locks in Alistair Hargreaves and Kruger to try and nullify the threat of expert poacher Victor Matfield.
"One would agreee that both of those players are middle of the line-out jumpers, but they are both very athletic so we are getting good movement out of them around the field, they both will contribute in the tight-loose.
"They are not your Etzebeth's, your Bakkies Botha's who are going to smash rucks but I think what is more important in a game like this especially when you are playing a pack like the Springboks is you have got to win your line-out ball.
"It is so important to try and provide ball to this backline and line-outs are your key set-piece attacking phase, so if you are battling from a line-out point of view you can't really launch an attack," he explained.
However, that does not mean they will lack for grunt with a few other sizeable players expected to make their mark in the physical confrontation with the Boks.
"I just think that South Africa is very physical, so we have got athletic locks who are more line-out jumpers than they are big hitters.
"Gorgodze stands back for no person, he is a very powerful rugby player and very physically strong so your Vermeulen, Francois Louw, your Bakkies those sort of players – he can match that physicality, so can Carl Hayman, so can Tauomololo and so can Joe Tikori on the bench," said Mallett.
In terms of their approach on Saturday, Mallett said that he has encouraged the players to express themselves within what little structure they have been implement in the last two days.
"We are not so naive as to think that you can just pick 15 skilful players and beat a well organised international side. Everyone understands now, in professional rugby you have got to have structure and through playing to that structure you have individuals who take really good decisions.
"So it is the decision-making of the guys on the field that is going to make the difference here. It's not just about having guys who can sidestep through a whole team, that is never going to happen against the Springboks.
"Hopefully with the little bit of structure that we have put into place players like Matty [Giteau], Rene Ranger, Hosea Gear, Steffon Armitage is a really good ball-runner and you have got Craig Burden so maybe they will get an opportunity to get into space and show what they can do," he said.
By Michael de Vries
