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Preview: South Africa v New Zealand
Sportal.co.nz - (19/08/2010)
New Zealand can seal the Investec Tri Nations by gaining one point against South Africa in Soweto on Sunday morning (NZT), but a win would see it extend its run of Test victories.
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 80 - New Zealand 44, South Africa 33, Draws 3.
LAST TIME: July 17, 2010 (Wellington) - New Zealand 31-17 South Afria.
WALKING WOUNDED: South African lock Danie Rossouw has been suffering a hip flexor injury so was not considered for a starting place although he is on the bench. Fellow lock Andries Bekker is also still recovering from injury while halfback Ruan Pienaar is also out. Zane Kirchner was unable to play at fullback after suffering knee cartilage problems. With Jimmy Cowan over his rib injury problems the All Blacks are back to full strength.
FORM: Clearly New Zealand has been the form team of the Tri Nations and is unbeaten. It has been on top of a fast-paced game, although at its most recent outing, against Australia in Christchurch, it employed a more defensive plan, something which could prove important ahead of Saturday's clash in Soweto. The home team has had three weeks to recover from what was a tough tour to Australasia and has undergone a transformation as a result of selection changes and injury. New Zealand has had one week off in which to recuperate from the first two-thirds of its campaign.
WHO'S HOT: Flanker and captain Richie McCaw, given all the talk around his method of play, is one very hot property, and there is no doubt he has been in a consistently sound vein of form. But his front five have been highly efficient with hooker Keven Mealamu outstanding and enjoying great support from lock Brad Thorn in the thick of the action. Blindside flanker Jerome Kaino has been under-rated but has played with the sort of consistency he was looking for going into the season. New Zealand's backs have been ruthless with wing Cory Jane and fullback Mils Muliaina especially dominant. They face different tests in the rarified atmosphere while first five-eighths Dan Carter has been a tactical king pin for the side satisfied to steer his side around the field. South Africa struggled to adapt to the New Zealand game plan, resorting to an ill-executed kicking game. The side has so many changes that it will need some early continuity to allow the key hands, lock Victor Matfield, first five-eighths Morne Steyn, second five-eighths Jean de Villiers and wing Bryan Habana to make the sort of impact that would set up a South African victory.
WE THINK: New Zealand has been so charged with achieving a degree of consistency in its play that it will be tough to crack, even with the disadvantage of altitude going against it. There may be some reaction to criticism from the referees in the judgments at the breakdown, but it would be unusual if McCaw did not assess this early. South Africa will be tougher than in the two earlier Tests but it is likely to be still off the pace. We think New Zealand can take it by eight points.
TEAMS:
South Africa1.Gurthro Steenkamp, 2.John Smit (captain), 3.Jannie du Plessis, 4.Flip van der Merwe, 5.Victor Matfield, 6.Schalk Burger, 7.Juan Smith, 8.Pierre Spies, 9. Francois Hougaard, 10.Morne Steyn, 11.Bryan Habana, 12.Jean de Villiers, 13.Juan de Jongh, 14.JP Pietersen, 15.Gio Aplon.
Reserves: 16.Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17.CJ van der Linde, 18.Danie Rossouw, 19.Francois Louw, 20.Ricky Januarie, 21.Butch James, 22.Wynand Olivier.
New Zealand 1. Tony Woodcock, 2.Keven Mealamu, 3. Ben Franks, 4. Brad Thorn, 5. Tom Donnelly, 6. Jerome Kaino, 7. Richie McCaw (captain), 8. Kieran Read, 9. Jimmy Cowan, 10. Daniel Carter, 11. Josevata Rokocoko, 12. Ma'a Nonu, 13. Conrad Smith, 14. Cory Jane, 15. Mils Muliaina
Reserves: 16. Corey Flynn, 17. John Afoa, 18. Samuel Whitelock, 19. Victor Vito, 20. Piri Weepu, 21. Aaron Cruden, 22. Israel Dagg
REFEREE:Nigel Owens
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