- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Wary of the Wallabies’ counter-attacking dangers, Springboks coach Peter de Villiers has identified the David Pocock-Heinrich Brussow breakdown stoush as the key battle in Sunday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final.
De Villiers didn’t waste any time on Monday highlighting the influence of the two open-side flankers, who rival Richie McCaw and European player of 2011, Ireland’s Sean O’Brien, as the best fetchers in the game.
The often-maligned and controversial coach admitted South Africa stood little chance of retaining the Webb Ellis Cup if Pocock continued his recent superiority over South Africa.
Australia have won five of the last six Tests between the Tri Nations rivals but Brussow missed four of them through injury.
The only time he lined up against the Wallabies in the past two years, it was among a rusty Springbok outfit which let a 6-0 halftime lead slip to go down 14-9 in a tense affair in Durban earlier this year.
Further illustrating the influence of the rival ball scavengers, Pocock was man of the match in his run-on Tri Nations debut against South Africa in September 2009 after Brussow dominated the two earlier meetings that year.
The Western Force star was also sorely missed when the Wallabies were upset by Ireland a fortnight ago.
De Villiers openly admitted the Boks would continue with their well-grooved field position game which suits knockout tournament rugby, cashing in on penalties through radar-boot Morne Steyn.
But he realises it doesn’t matter where Australia get the ball from breakdown turnovers as Will Genia and Quade Cooper have traditionally revelled in counter-attacking against South African teams.
“We have two of the best players who play at the ball in world rugby out on the field with David and Heinrich so it’s going to be a great contest,” he said.
“They are very good at breakdown time, and that’s where (Australia) get all their play from turnovers but we have to look after our ball carefully and put good phases together.
“Their decision making is really spot on and then when they get turnovers they’re really better than most teams in that they come from depth, they make yardage immediately and then they force you to scramble on defence.
“If they get it right, you’re in for a long, long day. If you can shut it down, for them it’s going to be a nice and equal contest.
“We will get it wrong if we make easy decisions for (Cooper).”
In a start to the mind games, Springboks skipper John Smit claimed the Wallabies held a mental edge through their recent record but the Australians have dismissed it as irrelevent.
One help to Australia’s cause is South Africa’s injury loss of Frans Steyn as the strapping inside centre can kick booming 60m penalty goals.
But Pocock and Wallabies skipper James Horwill denied they could push the boundaries around half-way and be any less disciplined with Morne Steyn in great form.
“(Discipline) is huge for us, you know any penalty in your own half that’s three points for them, so it will be in our mind,” Pocock said.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.