South African Rugby

Friday, August 15, 2008

South Africa ,New Zealand to meet in Durban


The Boks go in search of back-to-back wins against the kiwis when the sides meet in a huge game in Durban.


The Boks have seldom registered two wins on the trot against the kiwis, but will go into Saturday's match as the favorites following their 30-28 victory in Dunedin on July 12.


While the springboks have won just one in three games in this year's competition, they have all three home matches to come, starting with New Zealand at Newlands.


Peter de Villiers' men have five points from their three outings, while New Zealand head the summit with 10 points, but from four games.
While the springboks will be banking on their home support in the coming three weeks, they will also go into Saturday's contest on a high following the thrashing of Argentina.


The only problem is that the Kiwis destroyed the Aussies in their last game and seem to have got the team selection spot on.
So satisfied was New Zealand coach Graham Henry with that performance he has retained the same side for Saturday's match except for some minor changes on the bench.


We will have to do without Bakkies Botha, who was injured in the Argentina game ,Andries Bekker has taken his place and hopefully he can step up to the challenge.


Another player who is back of the bench is Percy Montgomery who will become the first South African to reach the 100 Test mark as he replaces Conrad Jantjes. There have been some issues with this from our rugby administrators saying Conrad Jantjies should be playing.

South Africa: 15 Percy Montgomery, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Butch James, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Andries Bekker, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.


Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Brian Mujati, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Luke Watson, 20 Enrico Januarie, 21 Francois Steyn, 22 Conrad Jantjes.


New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Richard Kahui, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Willliams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.


Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 John Afoa, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Isaia Toeava.





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