Tri-Nations Cup: South Africa Team Preview
Heading into the 2010 Tri-Nations Cup the South African Springboks are certainly the favourites. Last year's champions have made even more progress since their victory in 2009. This year however, will present a new set of challenges to the squad, as the schedule is not ideal and the pressures of being the top pick could bring about a few hiccups.
Historically the Springboks have faired slightly better then their Australian counterparts but have not been able to emulate the success of the New Zealand side.
New Zealand is by far the most successful team in the tournaments history, claiming nine titles in total. The Springboks hold three championships, the first coming in 1998, the second in 2004 and the third coming just last year. Unlike Australia the Springboks have exercised their demons of the past five years and managed to win a trophy after the three-game expansion. The Springboks look poised to make it back-to-back championships, but will have two eager squads standing in their way.
The 2009 Tri-Nations tournament was a memorable one for the South African side. They opened up with two victories over the defending champion All Blacks, at home in Bloemfontein and Durban. They next defeated the Wallabies 29-17 in Cape Town, before travelling to Perth, defeating the Wallabies once again. The Springboks suffered their only loss of the tournament to the Wallabies in Brisbane, before claiming the cup with a hard fought victory over New Zealand in Hamilton.
This year’s schedule does not favour the Springboks as they have to play two series on the road before partaking in their home fixtures. They open up the 2010 tournament in New Zealand, playing the All Blacks in Auckland and then Wellington. They move next to Australia where they face-off against the Wallabies in Brisbane on July 24. They finally come home playing the first match against the All Blacks in Johannesburg, then a second test against Australia in Pretoria, before finishing off the home stand with a game against New Zealand in Bloemfontein.
The 2010 Schedule presents a tough task to the Springboks as they start off with four matches away from home. These will be tough tests for the South Africans, and they will need to win at least two if they hope to repeat as champions. The three games at home could prove as an advantage, but only if they are able to produce a solid record with their away fixtures. The Springboks may also be forced to watch and hope if it is close at the end, as the final match takes place between New Zealand and Australia. The schedule demands a very focused and determined South African side right from the first test on July 10.
On paper, the Springboks have the most talented side in the world. No other teams can boast as much depth at each position as the Springboks do right now. Their biggest area of concern lies with the scrum, but even here they seem to have worked things out, after June tests against Italy and France.
The Boks real strength still sits with their kicking and line outs. Boasting what many would agree to be the best line out in the world in Victor Matfield, the Boks should have the advantage on set plays throughout the tournament. Their kicker Morne Steyn, although getting on in years still possess a boot that is almost unrivaled. The Boks will be a force-to-be-reckoned-with at this year’s tournament, and if they can do some damage on the road they could be looking at another title.
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