Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer says the Wallabies’ “one bad game” against New Zealand doesn’t make them a bad team and has called up two of South Africa’s most trusted veterans to nullify a Perth ambush.
Springboks champions Victor Matfield and Morne Steyn are two of six starting changes to take on Australia in the Rugby Championship at Patersons Stadium this Saturday.
Matfield, who made his Test comeback earlier this year after retiring at the conclusion of the 2011 Rugby World Cup, will start at lock in place of Lood de Jager, while flanker Marcell Coetzee comes in for Juan Smith.
It will be Matfield’s first game against the Wallabies since they booted South Africa out of the World Cup in dramatic and controversial circumstances.
Joining him in the pack will be hooker Adriaan Strauss, with Bismarck du Plessis being given a rest on the bench following the Boks’ two narrow wins over Argentina, while Tendai “The Beast” Mtawarira will pack down at prop in place of Guthro Steenkamp.
Boks coach Meyer has also bolstered his backs to brace for what he describes as a “brilliant” Wallabies backline, with veteran five-eighth Morne Steyn replacing young gun Handre Pollard and Jan Serfontein in at outside centre for Damian de Allende.
While Australia enter the match on the back of a 51-20 thumping at the hands of the All Blacks, Meyer has no doubts the Australians will be hungry to bounce back.
“I truly believe they have a quality, quality side,” he said.
“In the wet they played some great rugby where they drew (with the All Blacks).
“And even the game they lost, I know they lost on the scoreboard, quite considerably, but they showed some brilliant touches and played some great rugby.”
He added that before the All Blacks thrashed the Wallabies they hadn’t lost a Test in eight matches.
“They’ve always had brilliant backs but now their forwards are coming to the party as well,” Meyer said. said.
“I know they had one bad game but that doesn’t make them a bad team. They’ll definitely be up for it.”
Springboks: Willie le Roux, Cornal Hendricks, Jan Serfontein, Jean de Villiers (c), Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Ruan Pienaar, Duane Vermeulen, Marcell Coetzee, Francois Louw, Victor Matfield (vc), Eben Etzebeth, Jannie du Plessis, Adriaan Strauss, Tendai Mtawarira. Res: Bismarck du Plessis, Trevor Nyakane, Marcel van der Merwe, Lood de Jager, Warren Whiteley, Francois Hougaard, Pat Lambie, Damien de Allande.
BRAMS Brams
Guest
The smell of blood coming from Australia is so strong even SA great whites are making the journey to Perth. I don't beleive a word Meyer is saying its simple mind games, but it makes a change from the Wallabies talking it up. Sa by 22.
Charl
Guest
Shane Warne's mom's diuretics - so believable. Shane Warne and Mark Waugh's weather reports - what's not to believe Jake?
Jake
Guest
Hansie Cronje. Now there's a guy you can admire Ivan
fredstone
Guest
Broers as die nat weer so aanhou dan's ek baie meer optimisties oor Wellington.
fredstone
Guest
Have you ever been to Bloemfontein? Does the names Danie Gerber or Henry Honniball mean anything to you? Ever been to Durbs? You'll find your favourite irritating hobo from Hillbrow down there when its winter because you can usually walk around in a t-shirt and jeans on a mid winters day. So that's that story gone for a ball of crabcrap, right at the bottom of the ocean.
fredstone
Guest
Well u know I think SA coaches have some of the most structured game plans. HM believes size matters. That's becaus one of his biggest mantras is that rugby isn't a contact sport, it's a collision sport. I don't neccesarily believe in that because many times it's about the size of the fight in the dog. Meyer is very structured in the way he plays. The Bulls Mantra for the last 50 years have stayed more or less the same to a large extent. The Bulls are also the team that broke Robbie Deans rugby. The AB's have had to adapt to that over the last few years and I believe we have over the last two or so years started to see a revolution, maybe evolution is a better word. The ABs were absolutely dominant in the under 20 tournaments. They now get beaten regularly. If you had to have a conversation with HM one of the first things he'd tell you is you need to get the right structures and the right people in those structures. Yes I know that's all very bussinessy but look at the deadwood that's been cut and the people that's been appointed and positions created. HM knows the game is at the breakdown, so he appoints a scottish specialist. Ever thought why he did that, ever watch the Scots at the breakdown? Why not an Aussie or Saffa or NZ coach? Does it hav something to do with the fact that Southern Hemisphere refs interpret differently and he knows that most of the SA games, for the foreseeable future at least, is going to be played with a NH ref? HM knows that the kicking game is essential. He told Goosen to accept the french offer, why? Where is the weakness in Goosen's game? Who's the coach, kicking coach and other 10? Why's Morne playing in France. Ok so basic premise of HM's game is based upon size and physicality, where he is maybe a bit lacking is when he's getting nailed in first pahse which puts his big players running onto the ball at an disadvantage because now they gotta turn around. His breakdown is also going to come under pressure, but he still wins, why do you think that is? Maybe its because he got lucky maybe its because he knows that at some stage his big units is going to wear the others down and then he has three of the best finishers out wide. I don't know maybe that's his story. I could sit and hypothesise the rest of the evening. What I do see and know though is that just as most other SA coaches he is a bit rigid and doesn't like to change his game plans too much. That's maybe where a NZ and Aus coach that relies on the fact that a rugby game is basically uncontrollable anarchy decided by a pedantic and fallable (reportedly unconsiously)biased human being has the edge on him since they tend to gat away with slightly more and can cry bloody murder because the big boys are bullying them.
Harry Jones
Expert
It's also cold on the High Veld and bloody hot in OZ.
Harry Jones
Expert
An all-All Black back line would work against all other back lines. Maybe I'd squeeze Habana in.
Harry Jones
Expert
No worries Normally I'd say 10 points wasn't close But Morne missed v kickable kicks
MK
Guest
Fredstone and fanie for goodness sake.the northern provinces play a kicking and territory game because the air is very thin in the highveld and also its very warm , so they will attack only in the oppositions halves.the southern provinces got closed to the same climate as the new zealanders ,which is cold and intermittent rain which make it great for running rugby,that's why you got skilled backline players in the south like gio aplon,kolbe,bob skinstad.that's why you get a willie le roux cause he learnt his rugga in the south.the aussies should have the best playing style cause there climate is perfect for running rugby as well as territory rugga .
Common Sense
Roar Rookie
I was thinking about including that game but I know NZ wouldn't accept a 10 point loss as being close. By the way I'm not trying to be a dlck towards Springbok fans in general, just Fredstone.
Christopher from cape town
Guest
Brendon u think our loosies with eben might tackle hooper back 10meters everytime seeing his so small never mind his a skillfull player
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
He's a good ball player. Very busy player and a good leader. he could inject a bit of flair into our bulky loose trio.
Christopher from cape town
Guest
warren whiteley perhaps a little x factor with him there i hope
Christopher from cape town
Guest
So any thoughts on warren whiteley...his a big-ish ball garrier slash ex 7sevens player i hear
IvanN
Guest
i think a more pertinent one is - Which current All Black, would not ?
fredstone
Guest
Ja boet, tell me will you be a beleiver if we win on saturday or what would it take? That's why I called you a volstruis, you seem to be one of those blokes that always sees danger and then sticks his head in the sand and doesn't see all the beautiful fings happening also happening. I do have concerns about certain things, I think only a fool doesn't, but I think the positives outweigh the negatives at the moment. If we lose this weekend is it the end of the world? Not entirely I don't think. But then again I may be the one with my head in the sand.
Harry Jones
Expert
I'm with you on this Ivan. Not optimistic about Wellington...but I like our chances in Perthfontein. But I have one issue: if OZ backline is world class, which current Wallaby backs would make a World XV?
Harry Jones
Expert
Dunedin. Steyn missed a few kicks.
Harry Jones
Expert
Great points Fanie and I remember all too well Robbie to Peter Whipp (great rugby player that guy). The try last year that Kirchner scored came from quick quick passes--Jean's long pass to JJ set speed free. Meyer says the 12/13 distinction is exaggerated in today's game bc 150-200 tackles means lots of rucks in the middle of the field. Not sure; let's see. We have dangerous backs; need to put them into space and see if Kurindrani and Folau can swivel and turn and tackle.