For the Springboks, how far do you realistically think they’ll go in the RWC?

[TRF_heineken]

Not sure if this is the best tactic. Surely it is better to have the ball?

If we look at the past 2 years when the Boks and the AB's played each other, and most importantly the win we got last year in NZ, we scored tries off their mistakes, and throughout the games we had less posession than them.

The thing is though the weather in Japan is hot and humid as hell. Go do yourself a favour and look at some of the videos Supersport is sharing on facebook about the Boks in Japan, the sweat is pouring out of the guys, and in the game that will mean the ball will be wet and slippery.

 

[donmcdazzle]

If we look at the past 2 years when the Boks and the AB's played each other, and most importantly the win we got last year in NZ, we scored tries off their mistakes, and throughout the games we had less posession than them.

The thing is though the weather in Japan is hot and humid as hell. Go do yourself a favour and look at some of the videos Supersport is sharing on facebook about the Boks in Japan, the sweat is pouring out of the guys, and in the game that will mean the ball will be wet and slippery.

Saw some of the images of the ABs training as well, apparently 35 degrees and very humid. I wonder how that factors into gameplanning; defending can take up a lot of energy. You wonder in the heat how long teams will be able to keep up the rush defense, also will they tire out a bit earlier if forced to make a bunch of tackles,

 

[TRF_heineken]

Saw some of the images of the ABs training as well, apparently 35 degrees and very humid. I wonder how that factors into gameplanning; defending can take up a lot of energy. You wonder in the heat how long teams will be able to keep up the rush defense, also will they tire out a bit earlier if forced to make a bunch of tackles,

I think the manner in tackling will need to be adjusted as well. The bodies and clothing will be very slippery as well, so you will need to make sure the attacking player doesn't slip off.

But like Rassie said, it's the same kind of weather we have in February in Durban, so the guys know how to train for those conditions.

I don't see us changing our tactics defensively. And because it's our toughest game first up, we will defend like trojans for 80 minutes+ as we can change our tactics a bit for the minnows in our pool later on.

 

[unrated]

They should seek consultation from the Sharks coaches on how to deal with the Rugby in humid conditions. The first thing you need to know is that ugly rugby wins game when its humid and the ball is slippery, Whichever team has less knock ons will win and this can be forced by giving the opposition the ball in their own half and then putting them under pressure. Running rugby in humid conditions is not your friend and it really is just an unnesesary risk, rather play the percentages.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

That;s all fine and dandy but I'd hate it if we were to have to rely on opposition mistakes if we were behind or even only two score ahead.. Time will tell I suppose.

 

[User1245]

I reckon all the guys will be able to deal with the humidity just like all the guys can deal with playing at altitude. They're exposed to the conditions enough throughout the year to know how to deal with it

 

[User1245]

My take on the Boks are chances are as follows:

In our favour:

• The conditions (especially in the pool stages) should favour our playing style.
• With the calibre of forwards we have we can win ugly. Real ugly.
• Following on the former point, our front pack is World Class. We have some real tough brutes who can close out a match.
• We have momentum with us. Everybody is making the right noises. The coach, the players, everybody involved seems to be on the same page.
• Pollard is at his best and is surely in the top 3 of flyhalves in the world at the moment

Not in our favour:

• We have some inexperienced players who are very much in the mix. Kolbe and Mapimpi, our premier wingers, and have 18 caps between them. Our bench scrummie has 4 caps. No saying this is an issue but they are untested in this kind of pressure cooker tournament.
• Hype getting to our players heads. I do think we have some wise heads who will collectively keep the group grounded.
• Lineouts. I don't think we are as good here as we've been previously. Outside of PSDT and maybe Vermuelen we don't seem to have the height at the tail end like we've had previously. Kolisi, Louw and Smith are not tall. Not say we need carbon copies of our previous WC successes but the '07 team had Burger, Smith and Rossouw in the loose forwards. All 3 are tall timber so we effectively had 5 equally good lineout options including Matfield and Bakkies. Add that to how dicey Marx's lineout throwing can be, this set piece doesn't fill me with total confidence.

Some controversial points:

• A lot of our success hinges on Faf de Klerk. Now, I highly rate him obviously but he can have an absolute mare and I don't think I've ever seen him turn it around in a match. He'll just be back to normal in the next match. He's a different type of scrummie to du Preez and van der Westhuizen, our other two WC winning 9's. This could put pressure on Jantjies and we don't how he would respond.
• Willie le Roux. I'm not convinced in his consistency at the back. I think he was at his best for the Boks at 14. He has definitely gotten better though, especially his defence. But he's our best option at 15.

 

[Iron Lion Zion]

I rate this Spring Boks side. It's very exciting to see them strong again.

I do have this feeling though that a nasty surprise is awaiting them in game 1 against the All Blacks.

A very nasty surprise...

 

[Jimbo]

• Willie le Roux. I'm not convinced in his consistency at the back. I think he was at his best for the Boks at 14. He has definitely gotten better though, especially his defence. But he's our best option at 15.

Being a Wasps fan I have watched a fair bit of Le Roux, agree with you about his consistently his defence can be a bit suspect at times but he is one of the finest attacking FBs around, my biggest issue with him was some times he just didn’t seem to interested in actually playing that particular match and could be very petulant when things didn’t go his way, but he is representing his country so that should be a huge incentive for him to turn up, as you pointed out there isn’t really a better alternative.

 

[User1245]

Being a Wasps fan I have watched a fair bit of Le Roux, agree with you about his consistently his defence can be a bit suspect at times but he is one of the finest attacking FBs around, my biggest issue with him was some times he just didn’t seem to interested in actually playing that particular match and could be very petulant when things didn’t go his way, but he is representing his country so that should be a huge incentive for him to turn up, as you pointed out there isn’t really a better alternative.

Yeah he can be a bit of a sulk, which does my head in. But he has gotten better

 

[Bull]

I'm not concerned by Kolbe's defence or under the high ball, Mapimpi and Nkosi are my concern to who of those two are picked. I've had a close look at Nkosi and he is scared especially against bigger opponents. Willie is also suspect on defence some times. If Marx can sort out his throwing he is the first choice Bok hooker. My biggest concern is however at 3 where Rassie seems to be persisting with Malherbe, he is useless.

 

[BakkiesBokke]

Nyakane has to start surely?

 

[oj121]

Genuinly think they are real contenders for this one. They have shown in a one off they can rough it with NZ and really dont think they will fear anyone. Solid and direct with some serious strike runners working off the best balanced and all round halfback partnership in the tournament. Pollard is also a decent kicker.

 

[SomeOke]

Nyakane has to start surely?

He was injured last week remember.

 

[TRF_heineken]

He was injured last week remember.

Not only that, he was in South Africa this past week with the birth of his 3rd Child. He only arrived back on Saturday and had his first running session yesterday. Seems like they will do a fitness assessment on his knee on Tuesday.

But I doubt he'll start.