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Pieter Jordaan
Johannesburg – It’s a good thing that Springbok centre Adrian Jacobs is used to pressure because he will be thoroughly tested on Friday night when he runs out at inside centre against France.
Jacobs was on Tuesday picked as Jean de Villiers’s replacement in the Boks’ No 12 jersey and will partner Jaque Fourie in midfield at the Stade Municipal in Toulouse.
While the Boks are sacrificing size in picking Jacobs, they will lose nothing in terms of creative ability.
Jacobs is really an outside centre and while the French have selected a young midfield combination in Maxime Mermoz, 23, and Yann David, 21, they are strong runners that will have their eye on the Bok No 12's defensive channel.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers admitted that they lost a quality player when his namesake decided to continue his career overseas.
“But are we not blessed to be able to bring in guys like Jacobs? I have full confidence in the guys coming in,” he said.
Fourie added: “We’re both experienced enough to be able to play in any position. Adi is a good rugby player and up to the task.”
“France have picked a physical backline, but we have done our homework on defence.”
Fourie does not believe the fact that France’s backline is inexperienced will make the home team’s back division more vulnerable.
The big centre himself has not played since the Tri-Nations and was a spectator in the Currie Cup after first a suspension and then a contractual dispute kept him off the field.
“I was still a little rusty when we got together on the Monday, but this is my job and I’m professional. I spent my time on the sidelines in the gym. And while the first 10 minutes of the Test may be a little tough, I have prepared myself physically and mentally,” said Fourie.
He added that he is hungry to play again and is looking forward to making a success of his combination with Jacobs.
“Our training session on Tuesday was probably the best one I’ve seen all year,” said Fourie.
The Bok pack is looking good, with the tried and tested tight five all present.
Heinrich Brüssow and Schalk Burger as flankers may lend the pack a new dimension, while Ryan Kankowski is in at No 8 in place of the injured Pierre Spies.
Johannesburg – It’s a good thing that Springbok centre Adrian Jacobs is used to pressure because he will be thoroughly tested on Friday night when he runs out at inside centre against France.
Jacobs was on Tuesday picked as Jean de Villiers’s replacement in the Boks’ No 12 jersey and will partner Jaque Fourie in midfield at the Stade Municipal in Toulouse.
While the Boks are sacrificing size in picking Jacobs, they will lose nothing in terms of creative ability.
Jacobs is really an outside centre and while the French have selected a young midfield combination in Maxime Mermoz, 23, and Yann David, 21, they are strong runners that will have their eye on the Bok No 12's defensive channel.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers admitted that they lost a quality player when his namesake decided to continue his career overseas.
“But are we not blessed to be able to bring in guys like Jacobs? I have full confidence in the guys coming in,” he said.
Fourie added: “We’re both experienced enough to be able to play in any position. Adi is a good rugby player and up to the task.”
“France have picked a physical backline, but we have done our homework on defence.”
Fourie does not believe the fact that France’s backline is inexperienced will make the home team’s back division more vulnerable.
The big centre himself has not played since the Tri-Nations and was a spectator in the Currie Cup after first a suspension and then a contractual dispute kept him off the field.
“I was still a little rusty when we got together on the Monday, but this is my job and I’m professional. I spent my time on the sidelines in the gym. And while the first 10 minutes of the Test may be a little tough, I have prepared myself physically and mentally,” said Fourie.
He added that he is hungry to play again and is looking forward to making a success of his combination with Jacobs.
“Our training session on Tuesday was probably the best one I’ve seen all year,” said Fourie.
The Bok pack is looking good, with the tried and tested tight five all present.
Heinrich Brüssow and Schalk Burger as flankers may lend the pack a new dimension, while Ryan Kankowski is in at No 8 in place of the injured Pierre Spies.
