KEY POINTS:
MARSEILLE - South Africa play Fiji in the rugby World Cup quarter-finals here on Sunday with a gameplan based around a return to basics in a bid to nullify the Pacific Islanders' flair and raw talent.
The Springboks are sure to dominate the set-piece, Fiji having suffered in
the scrum throughout their pool games against Japan (35-31), Canada (29-16), Australia (lost 55-12) and Wales (38-34).
With the vaunted Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha, in their 34th game together, to contend with in the line-out, the Fijians will also struggle for parity, meaning they might abandon a kicking game in favour of running at all costs.
The side picked for Fiji showed four changes from the one that beat the United States 64-15 in their final pool game.
JP Pietersen comes back on the wing in place of Akona Ndungane, while a reshuffle in the backrow sees Dannie Roussouw - who missed the States match after taking a heavy hit in the previous match against Tonga - start at No 8, Schalk Burger move to the blindside with Juan Smit retaining his spot at openside.
South Africa coach Jake White argued that hatching a victory over Fiji was not "rocket science".
Possession of the ball in contact against Fiji, an area where South Africa suffered in their narrow 30-25 pool victory over Tonga, was essential, said White.
"The two biggest threats from Fiji are that they are sevens exponents, they can step and break tackles, and one-on-one they can beat most people," he said.
"They probably also have a huge amount of confidence. So when you play a team like that it's always going to be difficult. But it's not rocket science, we've got to make sure we stick to what we do well."
Fiji have been hit hard by the loss of key playmaker Nicky Little, who strained knee ligaments against Wales and has been replaced by journeyman centre Seremaia Bai, also a proven goal-kicker.
Fiji made only one change to the pack that played against Wales, prop Henry Qiodravu replacing Jone Railomo, who drops to the bench.
Norman Ligairi and Sireli Bobo start at full-back and wing respectively, with Kameli Ratuvou, who played at full-back against Wales, moving to centre where he will partner the hard-hitting Leicester player Seru Rabeni.
Fiji's forwards coach Joji Rinakama said the game would be won by the front five.
"South Africa are always aggressive," said Rinakama. "The key for us will be the set piece. We had 39 per cent possession against Japan - and we won the game. We had 41 per cent against Canada - and we won the game.
"Against Wales we won 100 per cent of our line-outs and had 50 per cent possession, so if we can secure 50 or 60 or 70 per cent possession on Sunday we can beat them."
White said the Boks were prepared for Fiji's offensive defence, looking to turn over ball away from the set piece to free up their dangerous backline.
"They give you first phase possession, and attack second and third phase and try and get some turnover ball and then they can use their athletes out wide," said White.
"It's quite simple, you can get first phase. We back ourselves at line-out time and scrum time. The secret is to hold onto the ball. We can't be turning it over and giving it to them in open play.
"It'll be a case of making sure you keep the ball in the tackle. That's where Tonga came back at us."
The mood in the Fijian camp has been one of a laid-back confidence that the dreams of the island nation could continue.
"South Africa are a world-class team, a great side. But Tonga took them to the wire, so why can't we?" asked Fiji captain Mosese Rauluni.
"Our main goal was to get to the World Cup quarter-finals, but why not now set that goal higher and aim for the semi-final?"
- AFP
