Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Springbok captain Victor Matfield expects Italy to focus on scrumming and their kicking game in Saturday's Test at the Puma Stadium in Witbank.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, Matfield said: "They have a strong scrum and we expect them to keep the ball close and try to force penalties.
"I worked with Nick (Mallett) with the Barbarians and expect him to use a kicking game and look to put pressure on our back three with up-and-unders.”
Matfield said that the Boks had worked hard in the week to improve on their winning performance over France last week.
"We have focussed on a lot of technical things this week. We have taken the approach of improving a lot of things by a few percent rather than one thing by 100 percent," Matfield said.
The Bok skipper, who leads the team for the first time since 2008, said he expected a tough duel in the lineouts against former Puma Quintin Geldenhuys.
"I played with him for the BaaBaas and watched him in the Six Nations and he is strong in the lineout. We will also have to modify our calls because he understands Afrikaans.”
The first of two Tests against Italy kicks off at 15h00 at the Puma Stadium, which will be packed to capacity tomorrow. The second Test takes place in East London next week.
Meanwhile, former Springbok scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen presented the players with their jerseys on Friday.
"Congratulations on what you are doing for South Africa," he told the team. "You are making all South Africans proud with your achievements.
"Make the most of every opportunity you get to play for your country and never forget where you come from. Congratulations and good luck.”
Addressing a press conference on Friday, Matfield said: "They have a strong scrum and we expect them to keep the ball close and try to force penalties.
"I worked with Nick (Mallett) with the Barbarians and expect him to use a kicking game and look to put pressure on our back three with up-and-unders.”
Matfield said that the Boks had worked hard in the week to improve on their winning performance over France last week.
"We have focussed on a lot of technical things this week. We have taken the approach of improving a lot of things by a few percent rather than one thing by 100 percent," Matfield said.
The Bok skipper, who leads the team for the first time since 2008, said he expected a tough duel in the lineouts against former Puma Quintin Geldenhuys.
"I played with him for the BaaBaas and watched him in the Six Nations and he is strong in the lineout. We will also have to modify our calls because he understands Afrikaans.”
The first of two Tests against Italy kicks off at 15h00 at the Puma Stadium, which will be packed to capacity tomorrow. The second Test takes place in East London next week.
Meanwhile, former Springbok scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen presented the players with their jerseys on Friday.
"Congratulations on what you are doing for South Africa," he told the team. "You are making all South Africans proud with your achievements.
"Make the most of every opportunity you get to play for your country and never forget where you come from. Congratulations and good luck.”
