Botha, Roussouw heal in time for Tri-Nations opener
One of the biggest questions going into the opening match of the 2010 Tri-Nations rugby tournament was whether two South African stalwarts, Bakkies Botha and Danie Rossouw would be able to recover in time to make the team. Springbok coach Peter de Villiers delayed naming the team by 48 hours in the hope that Botha could recover from a hamstring injury, and Rossouw could bounce back from a hip injury in time for Saturday’s game.
It appears his faith was rewarded as both men will be ready to do battle against the New Zealand All-Blacks as de Villiers announced his line-up in New Zealand.
Botha will be in the starting XV, in the scrum playing alongside Victor Matfield. Rossouw will be on the bench, as one of seven South African replacements.
The returning players means de Villiers line-up is virtually back up to full strength, and de Villiers’ line-up announcement on Thursday provided few surprises. Jean de Villiers (no relation to Peter) will be starting on the wing.
The return of two key players mean de Villiers had an enviable dilemma. With so much talent, it became a matter of who to pick over the other.
"All the players in the group are fit and available so there were some tough choices to make, but we are putting a very strong team out there," said de Villiers.
Thorn ready to go against Botha
While the South African fans will no doubt be hearted to see Botha back in the starting line-up, at least one New Zealander is also happy to see him wearing the green-and-gold on Saturday.
New Zealand lock Brad Thorn said he is looking forward to playing against Botha, while praising his opponent.
"It's a great test, South Africa are really strong at the moment. To me, I think that is great. The Springboks are traditional rivals and you want them at their best," he said.
Thorn is sometimes compared to Botha for his hard style of play, a comparison he’s happy to take.
"He (Botha) plays his rugby hard but he has maintained his performance at Test level over quite a few years now and it is flattering to be compared to someone like that," he said.
South Africans ready to go at full strength
With the New Zealand run at the World Cup over, it’s back to rugby dominating the eyes of New Zealand sports fans, and this time with the South African line-up looking so strong, there’s a lot of talk of the great pressure on the All-Blacks to defeat a very strong side on home soil to set the tone for the tournament.
The line-outs are South Africa’s strongest point, and with a full squad it puts even more pressure on the Kiwis. But South African Victor Matfield cautioned at a press conference they couldn’t expect to roll over the no.1 team in rugby.
"The line-out is one of our strengths but we have to be good in all departments against the All Blacks because they are a great team. You don't just pitch up here and expect a win, you have to work for it and I am looking forward to a fantastic contest," Matfield said.
The odds are still with New Zealand to win, but the news of Botha and Rossouw’s arrival is cause for concern amongst the All-Blacks. Still, according to their loose-head prop Tony Woodcock, they’ll have plenty to fight for coming into this game after having gone 0-3 against South African last year.
"You have to make sure you get over it a wee bit. You've got to play from week to week and focus on what is happening in those games. Now that this game is not too far away there is a bit more motivation I suppose," he said.
"[But] it just doesn't sit quite right and we have to try and make up for that."
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