2011 Rugby World Cup: Match Preview: Springboks vs Namibia
The resurgent Springboks will continue their title defence as they prepare to take on Namibia in their third 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) pool game. South Africa will take on the Namibia at North Harbour Stadium, North Shore City on Thursday, September 22.
Both teams have played two games each in the tournament and have had very different results so far. The Springboks are currently placed at the top position in the pool D table. They will start as favourites in their upcoming encounter against the Namibia,
knowing that a win will surely see them through to the second round of the 2011 RWC tournament.
The game has provided Springboks an opportunity to give some time out to players who are coming back from injuries. Additionally, the minnow encounter has provided them the opportunity to rest several of their key players, which will give them enough time
to attain full fitness before their last pool game against Samoa.
Springboks head coach, Peter de Villiers, has made five changes in his starting lineup, which took the field for them in their 49 – 3 victory over the Fiji. The changes include the return of the Bryan Habana, Gio Aplon, CJ Van der Linde, and Willem Alberts
after recovering from their respective injuries.
Additionally, players still struggling with injuries include the likes of Victor Matfield, Johann Muller, Jean de Villiers and Butch James.
Namibia will start the match as underdogs and are getting ready to take on the Rugby’s number two-ranked nation. However, they will be playing for pride and will be eager to put up a better performance to avoid a repeat of the humiliating 105-13 defeat,
which they suffered from the Boks in their 2007 RWC encounter.
Namibian head coach, Bertus O'Callaghan, has made six changes in his starting xv for their Thursday encounter against the Boks. Namibia is yet to win their first win and point in the 2011 RWC tournament. The chances are that Namibia will have to wait to
register points in the RWC points table, as Springboks are all set to deliver them a second consecutive thrashing defeat in the tournament.
The teams’ details for the Thursday, September 24 encounter is given below:-
South Africa
Starting XV: Pat Lambie, Gio Aplon, Jaque Fourie, Frans Steyn, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Francois Hougaard; Gurthro Steenkamp, John Smit (captain), CJ Van der Linde, Bakkies Botha, Danie Rossouw, Willem Alberts, Schalk Burger, Pierre Spies.
Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Tendai Mtawarira, Francois Louw, Heinrich Brussow, Fourie du Preez, Ruan Pienaar, Juan de Jongh.
Namibia
Starting XV: 15 Chrysander Botha, 14 Danie Dames, 13 Danie van Wyk, 12 Piet van Zyl, 11 Heine Bock, 10 Theuns Kotze, 9 Eugene Jantjies, 8 Jacques Nieuwenhuis, 7 Jacques Burger (c), 6 Tinus Du Plessis, 5 Nico Esterhuyse, 4 Heinz Koll, 3 Marius
Visser, 2 Bertus O'Callaghan, 1 Johnnie Redelinghuys.
Replacements: 16 Hugo Horn, 17 Jane du Toit, 18 Pieter Jan van Lill, 19 Rohan Kitshoff, 20 Ryan de la Harpe, 21 Darryl de la Harpe, 22 Conrad Marais
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