Rugby World Cup 2015- South Africa v All Blacks: Six areas where the Springboks are best

Name: All Blacks: South Africa 'our ultimate rival'
Uploaded: 2015-10-21T05:12:29+13:00
Duration: 163 s
Description: The All Black midfield general Conrad Smith talks about the mutual respect between the AB's and the Springboks and how “They are a special opponent and it’s a very special rivalry. I grew up during the apartheid era, when Australia were the traditional foes, but now South Africa have come back into it and I think it’s got back to where it was and they are our ultimate rival."

By Chris Rattue

Sports Writer·Herald online·

20 Oct, 2015 10:10 PM4 mins to read

The All Black midfield general Conrad Smith talks about the mutual respect between the AB's and the Springboks and how “They are a special opponent and it’s a very special rivalry. I grew up during the apartheid era, when Australia were the traditional foes, but now South Africa have come back into it and I think it’s got back to where it was and they are our ultimate rival."

The people have spoken. There was a huge response to our poll on which teams would make the rugby World Cup final, and the Springboks got the sort of vote that would make a minor political party depressed.

Fair enough, considering the quality of New Zealand's victory over France, South Africa's erratic tournament, and the recent matches between the old rugby superpowers.

But surely all is not lost for South Africa. They are still among the great teams of world rugby with a clutch of outstanding players, and anything is possible in the playoff cauldron. We found six places where the 'Boks can be best.

1) Arm wrestle, trench warfare, call it what you like. World Cups, in any sport, are rarely won with the frilly stuff. South Africa have no option but to slow the game down and turn it into a stop-start dogfight. Even little Namibia were able to tango with the All Blacks for a while by tangling them up. Physically, the Springboks are built for this sort of battle, and their rugby history also prepares them well. And in halfback Fourie du Preez, they have a tactical kicking maestro to complement their narrow, limited passing game. Expect a few "injury" breaks, debates with the referee and collapsed scrums - just saying. The All Blacks have options, which can be a good or not so good thing. The Springboks already know where they must go.

2) The quarter-final effect. Running all over France was very impressive, but it does present dangers for the All Blacks. The head doctors will be working overtime to get the fear factor back in their mindset. South Africa's unimpressive win over Wales may have re-awakened old fears about their capabilities, but it will make them even more desperate.

3) Drop goals. Dan Carter did attempt to bang an early nail in the French coffin, although his drop goal attempt was charged. This attempt was a shock given New Zealand's attitude towards the droppie and Carter's reticence in this area. It might indicate a revised attitude but Handre Pollard is much more likely to go to this well, and drop goals have played a big part in World Cup history.

4) A lot of New Zealand's momentum is provided by Ma'a Nonu, the rolling thunder from downunder. But teams like Australia and France often seem powerless or reluctant to do much about it. The Springboks have players who will at least try to put big shots on the All Black No. 12. His opposite, the rising star Damien de Allende, is a big bloke who has dotted his young career with some crushing, driving tackles. And the 'Bok loose forwards will be game hunters, hoping to turn Nonu into a trophy. Whether they succeed is another matter, but they are sure to try. Take Nonu's charges away and it will still disrupt the game plan and hamper the All Black wings...or at least until SBW arrives.

5) The intercept try. In other words, Bryan Habana. There are none better at this opportunistic art which can be a game changer.

6) The lineout, if Victor Matfield plays. He is the greatest lineout exponent in rugby history. Most pundits believe the superb young lock Lood de Jager, who has a powerful physical presence and high work rate, will start. But he is under a major injury cloud. Matfield also has a hamstring injury so there there are concerning ifs, buts and maybes for South Africa in this area. But if Matfield plays he will nullify New Zealand's ability to disrupt the opposition, and provide du Preez with clean ball with which to control the game. Heyneke Meyer might even find Matfield irresistible as a starter anyway, with the crocked de Jager saved for a final quarter burst when the All Blacks like to run opponents ragged.