The traditional rivalry of South Africa and New Zealand, the Sprinboks and the All Blacks, is to be reignited on the second biggest stage of all – the Rugby World Cup semi-final.
It looms as a disappointing fixture, with South Africa scraping past Wales in the quarter-finals, while the All Blacks blew France off the park, breaking several records on their way to a 62-13 win.
On the basis of that alone, many are tipping the All Blacks to breeze through.
But it wasn’t that simple for New Zealand earlier this year in the Rugby Championship, and it’s unlikely to be here.
South Africa are a proud side, with plenty of good players, a resilient coaching staff and a gameplan that keeps them in games.
A late Richie McCaw try saw the All Blacks take a game the Springboks had the better of for much of the first half, and portions of the second, earlier this year.
Since then, the All Blacks have gone through relatively unscathed, barring a loss to Australia in Sydney.
They were threatened by Argentina in the World Cup pool match, but managed to escape with a good win. Their decimation of France has tipped the balance, with many believing they’ve found the mojo of four years ago.
South Africa, on the other hand, have had a turbulent few months. Losses to Australia away, Argentina at home were followed by redemption against Argentina away.
A shock loss to Japan in the pool stages had many kissing their dreams of a World Cup victory off, but strong performances against Scotland and Samoa did a bit to reassure Boks fans.
An unconvincing win over Wales followed in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final, as they required a try to Fourie du Preez, after a brilliant draw and offload from Duane Vermeulen, in the last ten minutes to get to the semi.
Unconvincing, maybe, but it’s a new day and a new game. There’s no reason they can’t turn on a performance like the one in the Rugby Championship against New Zealand.
As much as Wallabies fans might beg to differ, New Zealanders and South Africans see this match-up as the pinnacle of rugby. Another chapter will be written on Sunday morning Australian time, and despite all the talk that it will be a fizzer, we predict it will be a game worthy of getting up early for.
Talking teams, and both sides have named mostly unchanged outfits from their quarter finals.
Joe Moody comes in as an injury replacement for Wyatt Crockett, but beyond that both teams remain the same.
Make no mistake, South Africa will lift for the All Blacks. Their linespeed will be better, their hits will be harder. Schalk Burger and Duane Vermeulen, both impressive against Wales, will left again.
The All Blacks will not be given the same opportunities they were against a fractured French team.
You can’t expect another half century to be racked up in this one. Expect the forward clashes to be bone-shaking, and the backs to not give an inch in defence. Whoever flinches will cede the advantage, and you fancy that if the Springboks give Julian Savea or Nehe Milner-Skudder any space, they could be in for a long night.
The scrum will be an intriguing battle.
New Zealand had the advantage of the French, who looked outmuscled in every department. South Africa will fancy their chances both here and in the lineout, and will target Dane Coles’ work at set piece.
The backrow battle will also be intriguing. If Francois Lowe can keep Richie McCaw out of the game, and make it more about collisions than work over the ball, you fancy that South Africa have the ball carriers to get over the game line.
But at this stage of the tournament all the analysis goes out the window as soon as the teams step out on the pitch.
So, will it be close? We say yes, with New Zealand getting our tip.
Prediction: All Blacks by 8.
South Africa:
Willie le Roux; JP Pietersen, Jesse Kriel, Damian De Allende, Bryan Habana; Handre Pollard, Fourie du Preez (captain); Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger, Francois Louw; Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth; Frans Malherbe, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Jannie du Plessis, Victor Matfield, Willem Alberts, Ruan Pienaar, Pat Lambie, Jan Serfontein.
New Zealand:
Joe Moody, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (captain), Kieran Read; Aaron Smith, Dan Carter, Julian Savea, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Ben Smith.
Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Victor Vito, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
ThugbyFan - actually I'm on the same side of the 'dutch' as you! .. I have to agree, this encounter has all the ingredients to be an epic, a keeper. History means little, we both know that both sides want it..... who can grab it by the throat? I think whoever wins it will know they have been in a game, how they will get up get up again next week is beyond me. You mentioned a couple on the AB bench. I have posted it elsewhere but I believe the WR International player of the year is David Pocock .... he is that good. But we have a long term apprentice in Sam Cane. You obviously have 'noticed' him play. No, I do not think he is as good as Pocock but it is my opinion that he is ahead of the others who play openside ... big call I know but since he came of age in that 2013 test against the team he plays tonight at Eden Park, I think there would be few international sides who would not pick him in their side. And Victor Vito, a very athletic loose forward who had pace and skills to burn and part of a bench that can up the pace and ante in the latter part of a game. I can hardly wait for this match ... no certainties but quietly confident that the AB's can get up in a close one ..... "I hope!"
Wozzo
Guest
They'll play like they play like they do with any other cup at stake. This one happens to be quite a big one. So in turn needs to be nothing but the best in return. Dont see how we can go through four years of doing the unthinkable the ultimate in trying to out perform maintain improve out wit all the exceptional stuff you need to stay ahead of the pack and still have naysayers, when really they have proven themselves to be the real deal. I for one am not sitting on a fence. My question would be, "What more do they have to give.". We wont know untill later I know I also know one thing I'm feeing quite upbeat about this challenge. That's what they have instilled in me. Done are the days of preperation and arduous training and retaining our #1 status over uber. It hasn't all ways gone the way we would've hoped but hey you can't win them all all the time, just the ones that count.
Match starts in 30 minutes
amband
Guest
would you mind clearly stating Time, day and place of match at top of article. Bloody bloggers have this bad habit of not stating it at all, or making us seach for it. I'm not a bloodhound
Vic
Guest
Hi Harry what a privilege mate. There's more green than black??
Harry Jones
Expert
I'm in the bowels of Twickenham and the mood is irritable. It's Irritable Twickers Bowel Syndrome. The Maori girls are lovely. The beer is all Heyneke. There is more green than black. There is more wors than meat pies
Not Bothered
Guest
I think peopl e are missing my point. Surely the best team is the ultimate challenge, not just a nominated team despite its ability at any given time.
Thanks Thugbyfan, old Harry is in London, watching the semi final
taylorman
Roar Guru
You're onto it Machooka. Backing the ABs tonight?
Scott
Guest
NZ should win comfortably, and no disrespect to SA. BUT SA certainly can win! If NZ are comfortably ahead just after half time if could be a blow out. Hopefully a hard fought and close game!
Not Bothered
Guest
I thought I said that SA might win. Oh yeah there it is in black and white, just above all the crybaby sulking from the Bok supporters because I stated a few results. Close your eyes and pretend it didnt happen guys. Wow. A Kiwi says that the Boks are always the ultimate challenge and I debate that with some results from this year and the Bok fans get in a tiz. Why, it did happen. Clearly the ultimate challenge isnt the Boks right now but as I have said, the Boks may win.
Not Bothered
Guest
Burger isnt dirty? His fingers were dirty after he touched the Lions wingers brain through his eye sockets and after he did his best Mick Dundee impression by grabbing a snack at George Smiths expense. I am guessing he will be nominated for World player of the year and he is a WXV player on form but I see no reason to ignore his dirty play from the past.
Bobbo7
Guest
Agree, I am nervous
WEST
Roar Guru
A week ago the Boks were favorites,. Week before that it was the Wallabies... Hard to keep up around here. Yeah, why not the ABs this week, like it really matters anyway.
WEST
Roar Guru
No kicking from Nonu tonight bro, the ABs are under no illusion of what's coming and what they need to bring. The French were last week it's South Africa this week, our greatest rival. The intensity goes right up before any test with the Boks.
Noodles
Guest
Well I'm expecting a cliff hanger in which the boks show up with a vigorous game. The ABs are a total pleasure to watch but this is after all a game that is purely physical in most relevant respects. Just praying that the WBs bring their A game On Monday morning.
Paul from Melbourne
Guest
A very well thought out post. thank you.
Paul from Melbourne
Guest
Henry is just milking the AB legacy for what is worth. People buy newspapers for articles like that. He could have waited until the final is over before publishing this article and it would have been more fitting. But What happens if AB don't win, he asked? Better make hay while the sun is still shining.
ThugbyFan
Guest
Good luck tonight Biltongbek. May it be a game to remember for all the right reasons. I looked for your compatriot Harry Jones. Is that him making a comeback in Brisbane in the NRC semi playing on the wing for Sydney Stars? LoL.
ThugbyFan
Guest
G'day RT, hope all is well over the dutch. This game is going to be a ripper. In a way it would be a perfect RWC final (shades of 1995). I thought J.Kaino was huge in last weeks match and as you say, well Ritchie is just Ritchie. Agree with you on K.Read also, he just hasn't impressed all year. Against that is S.Burger, D.Vermeulen and F.Loew. Watching these back-rowers going at each other will be worth my Foxtel subscription. TBH, the only reason why I want the AB to win is to watch, for the last time, the mighty Ritchie vs D.Peacock in the final. And whats scary is you have blokes like Sam Cane and V.Vito on the reserves bench. Go the WB. :)