Springboks weary of facing All Blacks in Tri-Nations Cup clash - Rugby News
The South African Springboks are facing the huge threat of remaining winless in the current Tri-Nations Cup as they get set to face the All Blacks on August 20th in their last outing of the event. They have received massive defeats in all three games they
have played in the tournament and may end their Rugby World Cup (RWC) preparations in poor fashion. The Boks will be seen in action before Rugby World Cup 2011in Port Elizabeth against the World Number one New Zealand team.
The Springboks have been finding it difficult to get rid of repeated losses even after testing their most experienced side against the Wallabies on August 13. South Africa made nine changes in their starting lineup against the Wallabies from their previous
fixture and have again made five changes to face the All Blacks in a bid to change their losing streak.
With the fresh move, desperate Boks coach Peter de Villiers, has decided to start the game with Victor Matfield’s captaincy. Their regular skipper, John Smit, will be starting the game from the benches and De Villiers has declared it a tactics for Rugby
World Cup. Talking about his intentions for the upcoming clash, he said that, “The plan was always to rest John for this match, as far back as May 4 when we had a big planning meeting. Everything that is happening in our camp is according to planning going
back to that meeting.”
The Boks have been largely criticised for their poor performance in the complete Tri-Nations stall by various circles. Jake White, the former coach of the Boks who led the side to lift the previous Webb Ellis Trophy, has said that the team is not well managed
for the event.
Meanwhile, All Blacks coach, Graham Henry, has warned his side while playing against the limping Boks. He asked his team to be on red alert as the South African side has got nothing to loose from the match. The All Blacks are also resting several key players
including Dan Carter and Richie McCaw from the clash.
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