Be brave Boks and attack!
The ultimate Test is still the mighty All Blacks and the Springboks.
Yes, the Bledisloe Cup is important, but the Wallabies are not the biggest rival for the world's best rugby nation.
Heyneke Meyer retained the same starting XV for Saturday's World Cup semifinal between South Africa and New Zealand – with the only change to the matchday 23 being Victor Matfield coming onto the bench.
I have no problem with the same team, as you should not change a winning team.
Can the Boks beat the All Blacks? Yes, they can.
It is sport and anything can happen, just ask Japan.
Will they beat the All Blacks? Probably not.
The All Blacks are just so good, so talented and playing attacking rugby with ball in hand.
The All Blacks play to create and score tries.
The Boks have a one-dimensional, kick-chase-and-hope gameplan. It is based on territorial gain, applying pressure and hoping the opponents make mistakes.
It is a defence mindset, not an offensive approach.
For years now, since Jake White, Bok coaches say: "It works if executed clinically."
Unfortunately most teams have a back three where two can play at No.15, thus they are comfortable under the box kicks.
The defender also wins most 50/50 calls going forward to catch the ball from and opposition kick.
The All Blacks are lethal counter attackers. If the Boks do kick, they will have to find touch and then put pressure on the Kiwis' line-out.
Miss touch and you'll pay!
The problem is that it is too late to change the Boks' gameplan effectively, as the players don't have the ball carrying and attacking skills (tactical kicking, handling skills, offloads, quick hands and footwork).
The All Blacks' balls skills are brilliant from No.1 to No.23!
So what should the Boks do?
Go big or go home!
Heyneke Meyer has only once beaten the All Blacks.
He lost to the Wallabies, Pumas, Wales and Japan.
Be brave and attack.
Honestly, the All Blacks have not been tested at the tournament yet.
The French is not a top dog.
They have lost their flair, with too many foreigners keeping French talent out of their competitions.
So be brave and attack.
It is too late to change gameplan so, play players with X-factor and that can play rugby – i.e. players that can read the game and play 'what they see'.
I would've picked Schalk Brits!
No, not in place of Bismarck du Plessis or Adrian Strauss.
Pick him instead of Willem Alberts. Alberts is not fit.
Secondly, to bring him into the game with 20 minutes to bash straight over the gain line is not going to work.
The All Blacks are fit and their replacements lift the tempo. The game will open up.
Brits should come on as a loose forward!
He has the X-factor and can create havoc with his stepping.
Special players create special plays and that will win the semifinal on Saturday.
The All Blacks have plenty of them.
Don't make Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel chase balls. Give them the ball and let them carry it.
Willie le Roux will win or lose you the game, so he is a must!
We don't have the game plan to beat them, so we have to be unpredictable and that means, be brave and attack!
AussieBoer Bok team would be: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Petersen, 13 Jessie Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Lodewyk de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Jannie du Plessis, 17 Adriaan Strauss, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Victor Matfield, 20 Schalk Brits, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Patrick Lambie,
23 Jan Serfontein.
AussieBoer (Kevin D)
@rugby365com
