| Final Score | ||
|---|---|---|
| Springboks | vs | Namibia |
| 57 | 3 | |
This is the battle of the best first names in the competition: on the one hand, Desiderius, Tjiuee, Thomasau, Clivan, Prince and Helarius. On the other, Lood, Beast, Kwagga, Elton, Cheslin, Siya, and Warwick. And there will be three Jantjies on the field. South Africa vs Namibia in the Rugby World Cup. Join us on The Roar for the live blog from 7:45pm AEST.
The battle of Southern Africa commences this Saturday with the loser definitely out of contention, as New Zealand and Italy are unbeaten, and only a one-loss or better team will advance to meet mighty mighty Ireland.
This should be a try-fest for the Boks, who sit behind New Zealand and Italy in Pool B at the moment. But some of the combinations may be a little rusty.
Look for the scrum to be a holy mess. Beast-Bongi-Koch will make boerewors of the poor Namibian front row. The lineout may also be a frightening debacle for hooker Louis van der Westhuizen, because the Boks will put RG Snyman and Lood de Jager high in the air at the front and the middle.
Attack-minded Elton Jantjies will be next to big-booted Frans Steyn, so expect plenty of pop passes, tactical kicks, and skyballs.
It’s in the outside channels where all eyes will flow: can strong S’bu Nkosi bolt back into the elite side ahead of a tentative Makazole Mapimpi?
And when Cheslin Kolbe comes on near the end, can he play a little fullback, to give Rassie Erasmus options against Ireland?
With Jesse Kriel out with a tweaked hamstring, unlucky Lukhanyo Am has to start again, in the demanding 13 jersey. This is a worry.
The Boks won the Rugby Championship with aggressive defence and used a warm up match with Japan to ingrain that style, but the All Blacks refused to play that game, kicking to the Boks over 30 times after their first nervous 20 minutes of Benny Hill passing and running around with heads cut off.
So, expect Rassie to go into full-blown Irish preparation: back to basics in the ruck and passing game.
For Namibia, they will think of this as a win if they stay within 50 points.
Springboks by 75.
Harry Jones
Expert
TOYOTA CITY Makazole Mapimpi’s spotty play was a microcosm of the Springboks' performance: halting, error-strewn, yet successful, with many tries. Yes, it was a nine-try 57-3 win over neighbours Namibia in Pool B, setting up a deciding clash with unbeaten Italy for the second ticket to the knockouts. Namibia could not cope with the abrasive South African pack. Tries were scored by wing Mapimpi, hooker Bongi Mbonambi (two), loose forwards Francois Louw, Schalk Brits and Siya Kolisi, fullback Warrick Gelant and centre Lukhanyo Am, but the number of unforced errors made by the Boks was very high, especially in the first half. Elton Jantjies showed poor decision-making and execution. And yet, the line breaks were SA 19 Namibia 0. Still, Namibia never stopped trying to run the ball. South Africa used attacking scrums to win penalties; kick to the corner, and roll mauls. The Boks had a 31-3 lead; and finished in a canter. Lood de Jager won MOTM, but if could’ve been Brits or RG Snyman.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I can’t believe a ref found a penalty for a crooked feed. A straight one would be unique
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Steyn really doesn’t have the skills for 10
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
He’s rubbish isn’t he. If Pollard goes down, you’re toast Harry
tackling even, carrying goes to Lood
Harry Jones
Expert
Lood carries and tackles better. Mostert cleans better and calls LO better. Even?
Mostert is a machine when it comes to workrate, not sure Lood offers more.
Harry Jones
Expert
Elton hit the posts twice ...
Harry Jones
Expert
When fit, that is Rassie’s preference. For me, I’m a big RG fan. But yes, that’s not a position of concern! Backup 10, on the other hand ...
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
I would’ve liked to have seen Frans Steyn at 10 for the last 30 minutes. He’s pretty much our only backup on the bench if Pollard ever goes down.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
In my opinion Lood should be starting with Eben in the A team. I guess you have to trust that Rassie knows something I don’t. The problem for the Boks is all 4 locks are just so good! Schalk Brits has a blinder too!
Harry Jones
Expert
Lots to shout about on the video review! Boks are better when underrated.
I had SA by 59 on Superbru.
Dahl
Roar Rookie
Buggered my tips. I’d put SA to win by 60. Just miss the margin!
Yep, a couple of players played themselves out of finals. Kolisi looked good when he came on. Our locks are all good. Reinach did nothing, Mapimpi should be dropped. Beast Mbonambi Malherbe Eben Mostert Kolisi PSDT Louw Jantjies Pollard Kolbe Frans Am Nkosi Willie Kitshoff Marx Koch Snyman Lood Vermeulen Jantjies H Kriel
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Yes BB, far from perfect but the Boks in my viewed showed class in respect to their minnow opposition. Is not Namibia’s fault that they do not have the talent to seriously compete with teams like the Boks etc but it’s colourful to have such a range in the tournament
Harry Jones
Expert
Rassie’s perfect scenario: a big win, lots of stuff to work on, selection clarity, and no injuries.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Congrats SA fans, sure not a tier one opponent but the Boks showed respect in the easy victory. Thanks Harry
Harry Jones
Expert
57-3 and that’s about right. A decent 10 would’ve made it 70. A few guys stood up: Lood, Frans, Brits, and Am.
Elton sees dead people :happy: