South Africa VS New Zealand: Tri Nations match preview - Rugby
South Africa is going to play its last match before Rugby World Cup 2011 against the All Blacks on their own soil in Port Elizabeth on August 20. The sides will be standing toe-to-toe for the second time in the tournament. The last contest was won quite
easily by the All Blacks on July 30 when the All Blacks tamed the Boks by 40-7 in Wellington.
The teams have faced each other 82 times before this particular match and the visiting All Blacks are far ahead of the hosts. New Zealand has managed to carry the day on 46 occasions whereas Boks bagged the win 33 times. Currently, South Africa is on a three
match losing streak as it has not won a single match in the current version of the Tri Nations Cup.
On the other hand, New Zealand has remained perfect with their last five outgoings and thumped their rivals by a massive difference every time. The All Blacks look in full swing ahead of Rugby World Cup as they are determined to repeat history from 1987
and win the RWC while hosting the event.
The underdog Boks will have to strive for their maiden victory in the current stall of Tri Nations as their side is down after repeated debacles. New Zealanders have rested key members to keep them fresh for RWC 2011 but it will be hard for the demoralized
Boks to make use of the opportunity.
South Africa has made five changes in their lineup following their third defeat of the Tri Nations Cup against the Wallabies on August 13. Their skipper has been benched for this match and Victor Matfield will lead the side during his absence.
All Blacks will go in the field without Richie McCaw and Dan Carter. Keven Mealamu will be their leader for the match and Sonny Bill William has been assigned number 12 position for the first time in the tournament.
Sonny Bill Williams, Keven Mealamu and Liam Messam will be the players to watch out for in the All Blacks. Sonny Bill will be desperate to show some excellent work in the field to retain 12 number jersey during the RWC.
Meanwhile, South Africa will be looking towards Victor Matfield to lead from the front. Among the other players, Jean de Villiers and Bismarck du Plessis can play a vital role for their team.
Teams for match:
Springboks: 15 Pat Lambie, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Jannie
du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 John Smit, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 CJ van der Linde, 19 Danie Rossouw, 20 Ashley Johnson, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Butch James.
All Blacks: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Isaia Toeava, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Liam Messam, 7 Adam Thomson, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven
Mealamu (captain), 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Andrew h**e, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Jarrad Hoeata, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Piri Weepu, 22 Cory Jane.
Tags: