World XV to be conservative against Boks, says Marshall

Justin Marshall

JOHANNESBURG - World XV captain Justin Marshall said his side would adopt a more structured gameplan against South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The World XV, playing under the banner of the Barbarians, lost 46-19 to England last weekend, and Marshall said they would tone down the brand of running rugby they tried in that encounter for the clash with the Springboks.

"I think the crowd can still expect to be entertained to a certain degree because if you look at the traditions of the team, the way the players like to play or the balance of the side, that's the way the World XV normally goes," Marshall said after the team's arrival in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

"But we are international players and we were disappointed by last weekend's result when we perhaps overplayed our hand at the end in trying to entertain.

"This weekend we will try to be a bit more structured, particularly since we're at Ellis Park where you don't want to be sprinting around for 80 minutes at that altitude."

The former All Black halfback added there would be immense personal pride at stake in Saturday's match.

"Most of our players now play outside of their countries for various clubs or provinces and so are not able to be picked for their countries," he said.

"To play at international level is the one thing we probably didn't want to lose, but had to give up for various reasons. So this is a great opportunity and a real thrill to play at this level again and test ourselves and see whether we're still capable of playing at this level."

World XV coach Bob Dwyer, who led Australia to World Cup success in 1991, said his team was gelling after two matches together, starting with a 64-19 victory over Saracens on May 21.

"We're a lot better off than most teams of this nature. We came under a fair bit of pressure from an international side last weekend and the team will really benefit from that," Dwyer said.

Irish first five-eighths David Humphreys and prop Peter Bracken did not fly out of London with the World XV and have been replaced by Gloucester's French first five-eighths Ludovic Mercier and ACT Brumbies lock Radike Samo.

Centre Jean de Villiers will captain the Springboks.

He is one of just a handful of first-choice players coach Jake White will field for the Springboks' first outing of the season, which is an unofficial international and does not count for test caps.

Regular captain John Smit is out with a groin injury, with props Os du Randt and CJ van der Linde, locks Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha, loose forwards Schalk Burger and Juan Smith, halfback Fourie du Preez and wings Bryan Habana and Breyton Paulse also on the injured or rested list.

Uncapped lock Johann Muller, halfback Ruan Pienaar and centre Wynand Olivier are on the reserves bench.

World XV squad:
Backs - Carlos Spencer (Northampton & NZ), Bruce Reihana (Northampton & NZ), Ludovic Mercier (Gloucester), Justin Marshall (Ospreys & NZ), Mark Robinson (Northampton & NZ), Matt Burke (Newcastle & Australia), Thomas Castaignede (Saracens & France), Fraser Waters (Wasps & England), Joe Roff (Kuboto & Australia), Isa Nacewa (Auckland), Cedric Debrosse (Narbonne & France).

Forwards - Christian Califano (Gloucester & France), Dave Hewett (Edinburgh & NZ), Andrea lo Cicero (L'Aquila & Italy), Radike Samo (ACT & Australia), Mark Regan (Bristol & England), Raphael Ibanez (Wasps & France), Tom Palmer (Wasps & England), Cobus Visagie (Saracens & SA), Owen Finegan (Newcastle & Australia), Olivier Magne (London Irish & France), Sam Harding (Northampton), Xavier Rush (Cardiff & NZ), Toutai Kefu (Kuboto & Australia), Sebastian Chabal (Sale & France), Julien Pierre (Bourgoin).

South Africa team:
Percy Montgomery, Andre Snyman, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Gaffie du Toit, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Enrico Januarie, Joe van Niekerk, AJ Venter, Wikus van Heerden, Albert van den Berg, Danie Rossouw, Eddie Andrews, Hanyani Shimange and Deon Carstens.

Reserves: Gary Botha, Lawrence Sephaka, Johann Muller, Pedrie Wannenburg, Ruan Pienaar, Wynand Olivier, Brent Russell.

- REUTERS, NEWSTALK ZB