Cape Town - Former captain Jean de Villiers feels the Springboks have a chance at upsetting the All Blacks in Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test in Durban.
The All Blacks are on an unbeaten run of 16 consecutive Tests and victory at Kings Park would see them will equal the record they share with South Africa for most wins in a row by a major Test playing nation.
“There aren’t high expectations on the Boks, but a few things count in their favour,” De Villiers was quoted as saying by Netwerk24.
“Firstly, there is pressure on New Zealand to equal the record for consecutive Test victories. And secondly, the Boks played with a bit of freedom against the Wallabies.
“Thirdly, the game plan the Boks employed has reaped rewards in the past. It looks like it’s going to rain, which will count in our favour.”
The All Blacks pummelled the Springboks 41-13 in Christchurch last month and after last Saturday’s stuttering win over Australia in Pretoria, it would take a brave man to bet against the Kiwis.
But De Villiers, who retired last year after playing 109 Tests for the Springboks, says he’s got a sneaky feeling that an upset is on the cards.
“I just noticed something in the atmosphere and spirit of the team which is promising. Nothing in the teams’ form suggests a win for the Boks, but a few things I noticed have made me positive.”
Saturday’s Test is scheduled for 17:05.
Teams:
South Africa
15 Pat Lambie, 14 Francois Hougaard, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Julian Redelinghuys, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Willem Alberts, 21 Jaco Kriel, 22 Lionel Mapoe, 23 Willie le Roux
New Zealand
15 Ben Smith, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Waisake Naholo, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody
Substitutes: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Liam Squire, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Lima Sopoaga, 23 George Moala