Preview: South Africa v World XV
It is the start of a two-month build-up to the World Cup, but with just five matches the margin for errors is minimal.
The Springbok camp has repeatedly said this week that Saturday's encounter with the World XV is the perfect opportunity to 'experiment' and give some untried players a run.
However, there is not much time to rectify any major shortcomings.
After this week the Springboks go straight into the Rugby Championship to follow – where they play Australia, New Zealand and Argentina on consecutive weekends – and a final warm-up match against the Pumas.
The Boks have more to lose from this outing, against a World XV that will be celebrating the final match in the careers of a couple legends – Bakkies Botha (who will captain the team against his country) and Ali Williams.
Bok assistant coach Johan van Graan put it in a nutshell this week when he said: "We have an end goal [the World Cup] in mind, but this is week one."
That means certain 'building blocks' need to be put in place.
Coaches like to talk of systems and gameplans.
The World XV will certainly test the Boks' systems, or at the very least some aspects of their gameplan.
Although a number of the players in the World XV are at the sunset of their careers, Van Graan admitted it is still a very formidable World XV.
"The scrum will definitely be a battle," the Bok assistant said.
"We haven't played together for seven months, so the scrums will be a massive area.
"If you look at the players in their side and what might happen with the weather, the maul will also play a big part.
"Defensively we'll be tested and the breakdown battle will be huge. Some of the best openside flanks in the world will be on display on Saturday."
Van Graan said Saturday is a perfect opportunity for the entire team, given the big goals they have for this year.
World XV coach Robbie Deans spoke of the occasion and what it means for the players.
"A number of this group have never played at Newlands and we have got some young bloods who have not played a Test yet," Deans said.
He added that the intent of the Springboks will mean it will not be a walk in the park, as is often the case for composite teams with little time to prepare.
"The days of invitational teams doing well in the era of professional rugby are gone, it is very tough for a group that gets thrown together up against a group that has history and tradition and a lot of motivation," the World XV mentor said.
He added that naming Bakkies Botha captain against his country was a "logical choice".
"He [Botha] is a legend of the game, not only in South Africa but in the world," Deans said.
"He has been great, from day one, unprompted and before we even discussed the leadership he was leading so it is a good fit."
Players to watch:
For South Africa: Given the accolades that flowed his way this week, all eyes will be on rookie centre Jesse Kriel. The pressure to perform and justify the coach's faith in him will be immense. Alongside him is one of the country's most in-form players, Damian de Allende, while flyhalf Handré Pollard is another who will have a substantial portion of the spotlight on him. Up front there is a first start for Warren Whiteley and given Duane Vermeulen's race against time to make it to the World Cup, Whiteley has a golden opportunity to make the No.8 jersey his own – at least for the time being. Veterans like Victor Matfield (who will captain the side), Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis and Tendai Mtawarira must show their Super Rugby form was not as bad as some pundits believe.
For the World XV: The spotlight will be firmly on the team's two legendary locks – Bakkies Botha (also as captain) and Ali Williams. They will be keen to walk off into the sunset with their heads held high after one last big W. The backline has some gamebreakers in Delon Armitage, Lachlan Turner, and David Smith. But the key for the World XV is how their forwards shape up – especially at the breakdown where Steffon Armitage will be a key player. The front row of Carl Hayman, Craig Burden and Gurthrö Steenkamp will ensure the scrums are interesting – if not entertaining.
Head to head: Why look any further than the midfield – the rookie Jesse Kriel (South Africa) against the Bok outcast JJ Engelbrecht. They both have plenty to prove. Flyhalves Handré Pollard (South Africa) and Mike Harris (World XV) will play important roles, but it will depend on the quality of the service they get from their scrumhalves – Ruan Pienaar (SA) and Luke Burgess (World XV). Finally there is the second row – blood brothers Victor Matfield (SA) against Bakkies Botha (World XV). For so long they were partners in a fearsome Bok second row. Now they are opponents, captaining the team – a fitting farewell for Botha.
Previous results:
2014: South Africa won 45-25, Cape Town
2006: South Africa won 32-7, Leicester
2006: South African won 30-27, Johannesburg
1989: South Africa won 22-16, Johannesburg
1989: South Africa won 20-19, Cape Town
1977: South Africa won 45-24, Pretoria
Prediction: South Africa will be rusty, but the same applies to a World XV that has had no more than a couple of run-outs this week. The smart money will be on the Springboks, although you can expect some interesting moves from the World XV. It should be close for about an hour, before South Africa ease clear in the final quarter – winning by 15 points or more.
Teams:
South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Teboho Mohoje, 20 Schalk Burger, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Jean de Villiers.
World XV: 15 Delon Armitage, 14 Lachlan Turner, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 11 David Smith, 10 Mike Harris, 9 Luke Burgess,
8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Bakkies Botha (captain), 4 Ali Williams, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Craig Burden, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 David Roumieu, 17 Alexandre Menini, 18 Petrus du Plessis, 19 Flip van der Merwe, 20 Louis-Benoit Madaule, 21 Maxime Machenaud, 22 Andrew Horrell, 23 Rudi Wulf.
Date: Saturday, July 11
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-off: 17.00 (15.00 GMT)
Expected weather: Mostly cloudy and cooler, turning breezy in the afternoon with a couple of showers. High of 16°C and low of 9°C
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Jason Jaftha (South Africa)
TMO: Deon van Blommestein (South Africa)
By Jan de Koning
@King365ed
@rugby365com
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