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Welcome to the one of most anticipated games of the 2015 Rugby World Cup to date. Whilst Samoa has a 7 to 1 disadvantage coming up against South Africa, it is better than the 67 to 1 Japan was given before their famous win.
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Placed 2nd in their pool, Samoa are in pole position to deliver a knockout blow to the Springboks. Unlike the Springboks, Samoa have made minimal changes to the team.
Whilst they do not have David Campese, Samoa has three Pisi brothers. If they get to play together at the same time, this would create a Rugby World Cup record. Irrespective, the record they want is a second ‘W’. Mike Stanley starts at flyhalf instead of Tusi Pisi, to allow Samo to leverage on his sharp shooting skills.
Springbok changes
The Springboks have made big adjustments. The most significant decision is Heyneke Meyer’s faith in Jean de Villiers as a player, team captain and defence captain, despite huge midfield holes found by the Japanese.
The most powerful inside centre in the Southern Hemisphere, Damian de Allende, makes it back to the team. Thus Jessie Kriel loses his starting position, but will finish the game.
A player who is not playing at all is Bismarck du Plessis. This is his first time for many years in the stands uninjured, watching the Springboks play.
Lood de Jager looked good last week, but lost his starting spot to his lock mate Eben Etzebeth. Meyer has placed great faith in Victor Matfield, who retains his starting spot, intending to dominate the jumping contest.
One player with a strong chance to redeem himself is Stormers tighthead prop Frans Malherbe who will be finishing off the game for Jannie du Plessis.
A welcome return for the Springboks will be Duane Vermuelen, otherwise known as the Thor, not to be confused to the Tongan Thor who is ripping it in the NRC. He’s a video of the Duane in a recent gym session. His neck looks strong enough.
Great gym rehab vir my nek, lyk nie gemaklik nie maar so goed… ? pic.twitter.com/gzHF8aiQlG
— Duane Vermeulen (@duane_vermeulen) September 15, 2015
Pat Lambie and Andre Pollard swap places, with the 21-year-old Bulls playmaker making a start. Fourie du Preez who seems to have been partnered with Pollard will join him. Willie le Roux’s deadly attacking nous was missed last week against the Brave Blossoms, and will also start today.
Can Samoa deliver the knock out blow?
Toulouse tighthead prop 135kg man giant Census Johnston has returned from retirement to give Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira a tough time. He is the most experienced player in his team, who recently defeated USA. They gave a full strength All Blacks a big scare in Apia Park in early July.
A win over the Springboks will deliver an incredible fifth loss in the last six games for the South Africans.
London Irish eightman Ofisa Treviranus scored a try last week, along with deadly Chiefs outside back Tim Nanai-Williams. In order to claim their first ever back-to-back wins in a World Cup, they need to score many more tries.
Otherwise, the Springboks will be too strong and too fast.
Prediction: Springboks by one try or three penalties, at least. The alternative would be unthinkable.
Match history (https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/match/14197#stats):
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.