Tri-Nations Cup: Wallabies vs Springboks - Match Preview
The Wallabies and Springboks are meeting a second time in the ongoing Tri-Nations Cup 2011 on August 13 in Durban. In their previous encounter the Wallabies thumped the South Africans by a massive difference of 39-20 in the opening clash of the tournament
on July 23. The Springboks proved to be a piece of cake for the host Wallabies, who managed to down them without any serious effort. On the other hand the Boks were simply too out of sorts and could not give the Australians a tough time in the match.
Overall the Springboks have had nothing to cheer about in the matches played so far and they are searching for their maiden victory of the year and tournament against Australia on Saturday. They displayed another horrible performance against All Blacks on
July 30 and received insulting defeat of 40-7 in their tour to New Zealand.
On the other hand the Wallabies also had a miserable day against the All Blacks on August 6 as they were outclassed by the World Number 1 by a heavy margin of 30-14. Howeverm, the Wallabies have a little advantage over the South African side thanks to their
early win over the Boks.
The Springboks have faced heavy odds in their opening games of the event due to a number of injuries to their players. However, they have announced a well experienced side to play down the Wallabies in Durban and to avenge the opening rout of the cup. South
Africa has announced 13 changes in their side as most of the injured players are said to be recovered for this particular match. Fourie du Preez, flanker Heinrich Brussow and Jaque Fourie will boost the limping Boks after recovering from various injuries along
with another six players who played their role in the South African victory during Rugby World Cup 2007.
Meanwhile Australia has announced just two changes in its team from their previous outgoing against the All Blacks. Scott Higginbotham and Ben McCalman are the two men who are being included in their side to complete the Springboks.
Jaque Fourie, Fourie du Preez, Butch James and John Smit will be the key men for host Springboks. The Wallabies will be expecting Will Genia, Quade Cooper, Rocky Elsom and James Horwill to play vital roles in their team’s second consecutive victory over
Boks.
A tough competition is expected between world number 2 Wallabies and 3 Springboks. However, the Wallabies are favourites for the victory.
Teams:
Springboks: 15 Frans Steyn, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Butch James, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Danie Rossouw, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Jannie du Plessis,
2 John Smit (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Gurthrö Steenkamp, 18 Gerhard Mostert, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Morné Steyn, 22 Gio Aplon.
Wallabies: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 James O’Connor, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (captain), 5 James Horwill, 4 Nathan Sharpe, 3 Ben Alexander,
2 Stephen Moore, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Replacements: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Salesi Ma’afu, 18 Sitaleki Timani, 19 Ben McCalman, 20 Radike Samo, 21 Luke Burgess, 22 Anthony Faingaa.
Tags: