France to feel forward backlash
The Springboks have taken the failure of their midweek counterparts personally and aim to restore set-piece pride in Friday’s Test.
The dirt-trackers were humiliated in their loss to Leicester last week, a woeful breakdown performance only overshadowed by a worrying capitulation at scrum time.
The Boks have called for reinforcements with CJ van der Linde, Adriaan Strauss, and Wian du Preez replacing the injured Jannie du Plessis, Chiliboy Ralepelle and Gurthro Steenkamp. These players are better options at the set-piece, but John Smit said it’s up to the first-string players to set the tone early on.
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‘The responsibility does lie with our pack in this match,’ the Bok captain told keo.co.za. ‘We got off to a bad start in Leicester last Friday which is not good for the brand. We do take that personally, whether it’s the midweek side or not, the Springbok badge is taking a knock.’
The South African scrum has come in for heavy criticism in recent months, and there are also questions concerning the endurance of Smit, Beast Mtawarira and Bismarck du Plessis as the starting front row. These three players have played plenty of rugby in 2009, but need to produce one of their strongest performances against a powerful French scrum this Friday.
Smit remains confident in his ability as a tighthead and the competence of the starting eight as a unit. Former France prop Pieter de Villiers has been working with the Bok scrum this week, but Smit says the retired front-rower has only made subtle changes to their approach.
‘He hasn’t come into the set-up and handed us all the secrets of France’s scrum, it’s more about tightening things up and tying up a few loose ends,’ said Smit.
Having Van der Linde, Strauss and Du Preez join the squad at this late stage may seem disruptive, but Smit pointed out the value in the veteran. Van der Linde’s experience will help the youngsters, and scrumming in front of Bakkies Botha won’t hurt either.
‘CJ’s been around the block a few times so it hasn’t taken him long to adjust. We threw him into the lineout mix on Wednesday and not a lot has changed over the past year. He’s an experienced player and a phenomenal asset to have for a tour like this,’ Smit said.
‘Wian and Adriaan are a bit nervous, but that is where they’ll turn to the senior okes in the pack. We have to support them in any way we can.’
By Jon Cardinelli, in Toulouse
November 12th, 2009 at 8:37 am
#49 Hondo:
The first 3 held dual citizenship and the last 2 played when it was accepted that “Southern Rhodesia” as a CC side, was eligible to supply Boks. Today we field a South African side.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Tiaan Strauss played for both Australia and the Boks. John Allan for Scotland and SA. Kevin Putt for SA sevens and NZ. Several players of recentish post-amateur vintage have played for both Samoa and NZ.
The IRB have since changed the eligibility rules. Once upon a time a man like Clyde Rathbone could play for SA u19 and then for Australia, and Tiaan even did it for both test teams.
These days you’re locked in for life to one nation even if you play even two minutes off the bench in ANY form of representative rugby, such as SA u20 or Sevens.
These are the IRB rules — applicable equally to ALL member nations of the IRB. There aren’t any special extra rules applicable only to SA but not to, say, Zimbabwe.
November 12th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
#52 TheTackler:
How come Fluty plays for England? he isn’t an Englishman?
There should be no issue with the Beast if he hasn’t played for Zim
November 12th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
#10 WakaNathan:
You are looking way too far back for your own convenience. Different coach and different players.
Do you remember when the Boks beat England 42-6 in their own back yard? Well England went on to beat France 34-10 only a few months later. Other results are:
France 22 – Sotland 13
France 21 – Wales 16
Hardly ground breaking stuff is it?
November 12th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
#53 Hondo: I agree fully. Beast is 100% Bok. No question.
November 12th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
France do have a good record against the Boks, there I said it and it doesnt hurt to do so. Now Tackler say Boks beat AB all this year …. go on, it will set you free !