South Africa v Australia, Aug 8th

danthefan

South Africa team:

Springboks – 15 Frans Steyn, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 John Smit (c), 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Andries Bekker, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Adi Jacobs, 22 Ruan Pienaar.

Shockingly, there are no changes. Don't think the Aus team is out yet.

Amabokke

I believe the boks will decide the win or loose here. If they don't take their chances and score tries the Aussies will win this. They won't give away as many penalties as the ABs and will be playing clever rugby so will ask more questions. If South Africa can play like the did against the ABs but with better execution and score tries they will put them away. Still, I have this thought that the Aussies will still come second against the ABs too and be last on the log this 3N season.

danthefan

Amabokke wrote: »

I believe the boks will decide the win or loose here. If they don't take their chances and score tries the Aussies will win this. They won't give away as much penalties as the ABs and will be playing clever rugby so will ask more questions. If South Africa can play like the did against the ABs but with better execution and score tries they will put them away. Still, I have this thought that the Aussies will still come second against the ABs too and be last on the log this 3N season.

Boks are clear favourites imo. Aus won't have played for 3 weeks while the Boks have loads of match practice and form behind them, along with home advantage. Boks by 10 is my guess at a scoreline.

potsy11

I hate to say it but its Bokke all the way.

They are the best team on the globe bar none.

andrewdcs

Think the boks will be a bit fatigued so don't see a trouncing, but could never put money on them to lose. Think Boks by 3.
be watching in local... no more dodgy Internet streams with worse commentary.

subfreq

Set to be the game of the tournament I think. The Aussies have had a good chance to see exactly what they face, the All Blacks errors and come in fresh where as the Boks are battle hard.

If the Boks have a weakness it could be that the All Blacks are the great enemy for them and mentally the last two games would have been a massive focus. They might just take the foot off the peddle a little bit for this one.

Set up to be a cracker but I put the Boks as comfortable favourites.

sm.org

danthefan wrote: »

South Africa team:

Springboks – 15 Frans Steyn, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 John Smit (c), 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Andries Bekker, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Adi Jacobs, 22 Ruan Pienaar.

Shockingly, there are no changes. Don't think the Aus team is out yet.

Pienaar comes in on the bench to add a bit of balance to the sub backs. Having two centres on the bench last week was questionable.

Bismarck Du Plessis is potentially the best SA hooker of all time. Chiliboy Ralepelle is already the worst.

I'd like to see the Boks create a few try scoring oppertunities this week. As Amabokke aluded to Oz will be nowhere near as ill disciplined as NZ, who gifted the Boks at least 15 points in both games.

If I were SA fan I would be more weary of AUS than NZ,Australia have the best backs in the comp and could cut SA to pieces if it goes wrong.You played against the AB's with Donald at 10,giteau will pose Steyn and the gang alot more trouble.

The will have no trouble fielding the highballs and will return them with intrest,I would be more confident if Rocky was playing but this game is nowhere near as certain to predict as some say.

mikeruurds

Kylee Wailing Sweet-talk wrote: »

If I were SA fan I would be more weary of AUS than NZ,Australia have the best backs in the comp and could cut SA to pieces if it goes wrong.You played against the AB's with Donald at 10,giteau will pose Steyn and the gang alot more trouble.

The will have no trouble fielding the highballs and will return them with intrest,I would be more confident if Rocky was playing but this game is nowhere near as certain to predict as some say.

Agreed. As a Saffer Bok fan I see the Aussies as more of a threat at the moment than the ABs.

Crash

sm.org wrote: »

Bismarck Du Plessis is potentially the best SA hooker of all time. Chiliboy Ralepelle is already the worst.

Any man who can shift a captain out of his preferred position is unreal. Smit is a great hooker himself, but Du Plessis is simply class. Love watching him play.

Edit: Chiliboy deserves the plaudit for the most awesome name in world rugby however - if anyone can think of a better one, there's a thread right there.

andrewdcs

Crash wrote: »

Edit: Chiliboy deserves the plaudit for the most awesome name in world rugby however - if anyone can think of a better one, there's a thread right there.

lol, how about "Bismark Du Plessis" bit of a germanic/Huguenot spin. SA do have the best names all round.
Fairly sure Chiliboy is his nickname, so under international rules may not qualify.

EDIT: Aha, here we go....http://blogs.sport24.co.za/Rooinek07/Springbok-rugby-names

Judgement Day

Anybody think that the Aussies have a hunger to win that was lacking in all three All Blacks performances to date? Hopefully it will be more exciting game with less amateurish handling errors than the last two matches.

chupacabra

Been looking forward to this fixture all summer and it looks like the weather will clear for this Saturday fingers crossed. This is as good an opportunity as any to scope out our opposition for the AI's.

Chiliboy deserves the plaudit for the most awesome name in world rugby however - if anyone can think of a better one, there's a thread right there.

Bismarck Du Plessis is clearly the coolest name in the rugby world today.

chupacabra

chupacabra wrote: »

Bismarck Du Plessis is clearly the coolest name in the rugby world today.

Stirling Mortlock might have something to say about that

Stev_o

I trump everyone, go here http://www.rugbycalvisano.it/articoli.php?IdArt=434

Crash

I bowe down to Mr. Churchill Mafi.

davyjose

i think I'll stick a tenner on the Aussies for this. I fancy them a LOT more than the waning AB's

Judgement Day

Stuck a few Euros on Aussies too at 6/1 to win by more than 4 points but, just in case, another few Euros on the Springboks to win by more than 8 points. Needless to say I want the Aussies to win but I have learnt the hard way that there is no need to let Paddy Power hang me out to dry.

Stev_o

Such a very boring match.

wixfjord

Why in the name of jaysus does barnes persist in kicking to du preez from the restart?? nearly every one has gone to him and hes pumped itdown past halfway, followed by a strong S.A. lineout challenge! Madness

sock puppet

What a chip through from Smit!

[Jackass]

Stev_o wrote: »

Such a very boring match.

:eek: I think it's been very enjoyable so far!! South Africa really stepping it up now!

Stev_o

[Jackass] wrote: »

:eek: I think it's been very enjoyable so far!! South Africa really stepping it up now!

If i wanted to watch Aussie rules id go do that, seriously kicking FROM EVERYWHERE is boring. While i respect the Boks they are such a boring side to watch now.

Stev_o

Christ it's just bland, bash kick kick kick kick bash kick kick bash bash bash kick no invention or anything.

Stev_o

Pretty well milked to ensure the yellow.

[Jackass]

Holy sh*t!! That hit from Gitteau was insane!! No intention to get the ball there!! Stupid stupid play...lucky to only get yellow I reckon! shoulder charged, led with the elbow into his face...not even looking for the ball! haha that second yellow was stupid...that's oz fu*ked now!

sock puppet

Disgraceful from Giteau. Elbow straight into Du Preez's face.

Stev_o

Woefully wrong decision by Rolland there Brown made the tackle got to his feet, tackler does not have to abide the offside line should of been play on.

Onearmedbandit

Ouch!! thats Gitau out for a few matches. Should really be a red whats the difference between that and a punch?

Amabokke

Haha, Aussies two yellows. Can't handle the boks pressure.

Jello

Yep very bad from Giteau. Oz down to 13 now, game over I'd say.

sock puppet

I always suspected the Aussies wanted the game to be more like Rugby League.

Onearmedbandit

Jello wrote: »

Yep very bad from Giteau. Oz down to 13 now, game over I'd say.

yep definitly thats the end of that. Springboks playing excellent.

Amabokke

Stev_o wrote: »

Woefully wrong decision by Rolland there Brown made the tackle got to his feet, tackler does not have to abide the offside line should of been play on.

There was more than one bok so Aussie was offside, good call.

Stev_o

Amabokke wrote: »

There was more than one bok so Aussie was offside, good call.

Oh come off it Ama if you actually think that's true then Brussow should of been gone many times last week take off the specs for a min and give equal treatment.

Amabokke

Stev_o wrote: »

Oh come off it Ama if you actually think that's true then Brussow should of been gone many times last week take off the specs for a min and give equal treatment.

:rolleyes: what about last year when Ferris did it, or maybe 2007 when Wallace did it or 2006 when Burger did it or 2005 when Collins did it.

This is now. Rollain made a similar call and gave penalty to Aussies earlier on so most of you who support this ref and says he is consistent that was the right call.

dfx-

Stev_o wrote: »

Pretty well milked to ensure the yellow.

Pretty much only an Anyone-But-South Africa viewer of that could say that needed to be milked to get the yellow..

Amabokke

dfx- wrote: »

to get the yellow..

Should've been a red. He will be cited for this quaranteed.

sock puppet

Aus should have kept Barnes at outhalf....

wixfjord

How do you feel spies played today amabokke? Im a bit underwhelemed again tbh.

sock puppet

wixfjord wrote: »

How do you feel spies played today amabokke? Im a bit underwhelemed again tbh.

If Habana hadn't been tackled off the ball there after Spies' kick ahead he probably would have scored.

Amabokke

wixfjord wrote: »

How do you feel spies played today amabokke? Im a bit underwhelemed again tbh.

This is what I would call an average game for Spies, not bad but not great either. But he did enough for an 8th man. Kankowski wouldnt have played better as the Wallabies illegal play would've limited his capabilities to run in space as well.

Amabokke

Will take the win but very dissapointed with the boks execution and finish. Should've scored at least 1-2 more tries and had the opportunity.

Travelling down under in a few weeks will be the last and ultimate test of this boks team to see how the fair abroad.

funky penguin

ZZzzzzzzzzzzz......

yimrsg

Well played South Africa, deserved winners but probably only played 70-80% of their best against the Lions. Australia's discipline cost them a losing bonus point and maybe the match as they were better with ball in hand but too often kicked it away (giteau's kicking out of hand was terrible).

I think the boks rely too much on set moves in offence, against 13 men they upped the tempo and played fast running rugby and managed only 3 points. All too often squandering possession and chances. It reminds me of England '03 where too much emphasis was on not making mistakes and capitalising on your opponents errors which they are exemplary at. And having a deadeye 10 who kicks your penalties. When they try and open up a team they lack the inbuilt flair and off the cuff skills that other teams have. Still their pragmatism works.

Australia need to sort out their lineout (lost 8 of their own) and probably get someone else in for giteau who will be cited for his flying body charge. Maybe need a replacement for mortlock who got a knock too. O'connor seemed at ease with the occasion and has to start in the rematch. Think Elsom should be in also.

Judgement Day

Having shared my local with the only other person (a Boks supporter) who was watching the match I have come to the conclusion that it's the arrogance of the fans not the players that I dislike. The Boks played some quality rugby and the Aussies have only themselves to blame as their lack of discipline gifted the game to the opposition. But what about James O'Connor http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_O'Connor_(rugby) what a talented youngster - I wonder with a name like that where his ancestors hail from. Munster of course!!! Bring on the November 28th!!!

pappyodaniel

chupacabra wrote: »

Been looking forward to this fixture all summer and it looks like the weather will clear for this Saturday fingers crossed. This is as good an opportunity as any to scope out our opposition for the AI's.



Bismarck Du Plessis is clearly the coolest name in the rugby world today.

Chilliboy Ralepelle is ten times a cooler name!

fisgon

The Boks just strangle teams, they squeeze until there is no space and no time to do anything, they're like Munster on steroids.

In fact they are also like the Munster of 05/06, effective, winning but very very boring. are they now the most boring team in world rugby? Any time they gave the ball to their backs - which wasn't often - they messed it up, they have no creativity, no invention, no ambition, they have a great pack and a great kicking game, a dominant lineout and a pattern that they stick to. it's effective, but certainly not in any way entertaining. They don't care though, i'm sure, they're winning, but nul points for style. I'd like to see them beaten a few times in the Antipodes, when they go there.

As an afterthought, De Villiers....? I haven't seen him do anything useful in the five games i've seen him play in this summer. Good in defence but nothing in attack. And the Aussies don’t look to have too much to be afraid of, Ireland should take them in November if they have any claim to be a decent team.

subfreq

Probably the worst I have seen Giteau play in the green and gold. I wouldn't be surprised if Deans gives him a week in the dog house after that.

Also the worst I have seen Alain Rolland ref a match as well. He was so inconsistent at the break down and whether you are a Bok or an Aussie you would have been annoyed. There can be no arguing with the yellows though. The notion there will be citing after the game for one of them is laughable IMO.

The boks are really soft defensively out wide. It surprises me every time I watch them. At present no team can match the power up front or keep control of there lineout for long enough periods to take advantage.

It's no surprise to me both the Aussies and Kiwis suffered ill discipline as it's so annoying when a team just simply out muscles you. Morne Steyne has also arrived on the scene at an almost majestic time to SA rugby. Great player to watch.

Cuchulain

I hate the way the Boks play rugby, its the most unattractive brand Ive ever seen. Granted it effective but very little in the way of creativity and line breaks.
Most of their points were gathered from their power at the breakdown and set pieces.

Other than Fran Steyn, I cant recall any of their backs making any decent runs with ball in hand.

mikeruurds

Cuchulain wrote: »

I hate the way the Boks play rugby, its the most unattractive brand Ive ever seen. Granted it effective but very little in the way of creativity and line breaks.
Most of their points were gathered from their power at the breakdown and set pieces.

Other than Fran Steyn, I cant recall any of their backs making any decent runs with ball in hand.

They're playing to a game plan. The backs will get a look in when the opposition are deemed to have a weak defence and when they stop gifting the boks fistfuls of penalties in their own half.