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Cape Town - The Springboks have shown great discipline on and off the field so far at this year's Rugby World Cup, with some even labelling them as boring.
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The players are yet to make a controversial statement, none have attended an over-the-top party, and even coach Peter de Villiers has appeared more calculated and composed during media briefings. That, of course, excluding his haka-tirade.
Hence, the Beeld newspaper have labelled the Boks as being "scandal-sterile" and even a bit "boring".
Andy Colquhoun, the Boks' media manager should be credited for this great discipline shown by the players off the field. They have responded with standard answers during interviews, while also portraying a great deal of politeness towards journalists.
The "conservative" or "polite" way of going about could also be compared with the manner in which the Boks are approaching Thursday's clash with neighbours, Namibia.
The South Africans have given the southwest-Africans almost too much respect in the build-up to their clash. The players have shied away from talks of them demolishing Namibia by 60-plus points. Instead, they have preferred to rather use more standard expressions like "momentum", "week-for-week", "play for the team", and the "passion" of playing for the Springboks.
However, even with a reluctance for stating the obvious, they will know deep down that they should easily sail past their opponents in their Pool D clash.
Therefore, it is imperative that the game is used as a springboard to gain confidence for the tougher matches ahead. Pat Lambie will have a chance to grow in his position at the back, Gio Aplon gets a chance to show his worth, Frans Steyn will play another Test at inside centre and Francois Hougaard will start in his favoured position at scrumhalf.
And apart from many individuals wanting to stake a claim, the team could do well to at least focus on doing the basics well. That is, play well in the first phases, get the timing in the lineouts spot on, scrum well, make sure the passing and communication amongst the backs are sound, and no to concede penalties at the breakdowns.
Thus, if the Boks continue to do things in their own business-like way, a 60-point winning margin won't be as far fetched as some of the players tried to emphasise.
Teams:
South Africa:
15 Pat Lambie, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Willem Alberts, 5 Danie Rossouw, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 John Smit (captain), Gurthro Steenkamp.
Substitutes: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Francois Louw, 19 Heinrich Brüssow, 20 Fourie du Preez, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Juan de Jongh.
Namibia:
15 Chrysander Botha, 14 Danie Dames, 13 Danie van Wyk, 12 Piet van Zyl, 11 Heine Bock, 10 Theuns Kotze, 9 Eugene Jantjies, 8 Jacques Nieuwenhuis, 7 Jacques Burger (c), 6 Tinus du Plessis, 5 Nico Esterhuyse, 4 Heinz Koll, 3 Marius Visser, 2 Bertus O'Callaghan, 1 Johnnie Redelinghuys
Substitutes: 16 Hugo Horn, 17 Jané du Toit, 18 Pieter Jan van Lill, 19 Rohan Kitshoff, 20 Ryan de la Harpe, 21 Darryl de la Harpe, 22 Conrad Marais
* Click HERE for the latest RWC odds on BET.CO.ZA
WIN a pair of the new adidas rugby boots
WIN a Rugby World Cup ball
The players are yet to make a controversial statement, none have attended an over-the-top party, and even coach Peter de Villiers has appeared more calculated and composed during media briefings. That, of course, excluding his haka-tirade.
Hence, the Beeld newspaper have labelled the Boks as being "scandal-sterile" and even a bit "boring".
Andy Colquhoun, the Boks' media manager should be credited for this great discipline shown by the players off the field. They have responded with standard answers during interviews, while also portraying a great deal of politeness towards journalists.
The "conservative" or "polite" way of going about could also be compared with the manner in which the Boks are approaching Thursday's clash with neighbours, Namibia.
The South Africans have given the southwest-Africans almost too much respect in the build-up to their clash. The players have shied away from talks of them demolishing Namibia by 60-plus points. Instead, they have preferred to rather use more standard expressions like "momentum", "week-for-week", "play for the team", and the "passion" of playing for the Springboks.
However, even with a reluctance for stating the obvious, they will know deep down that they should easily sail past their opponents in their Pool D clash.
Therefore, it is imperative that the game is used as a springboard to gain confidence for the tougher matches ahead. Pat Lambie will have a chance to grow in his position at the back, Gio Aplon gets a chance to show his worth, Frans Steyn will play another Test at inside centre and Francois Hougaard will start in his favoured position at scrumhalf.
And apart from many individuals wanting to stake a claim, the team could do well to at least focus on doing the basics well. That is, play well in the first phases, get the timing in the lineouts spot on, scrum well, make sure the passing and communication amongst the backs are sound, and no to concede penalties at the breakdowns.
Thus, if the Boks continue to do things in their own business-like way, a 60-point winning margin won't be as far fetched as some of the players tried to emphasise.
Teams:
South Africa:
15 Pat Lambie, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Willem Alberts, 5 Danie Rossouw, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 John Smit (captain), Gurthro Steenkamp.
Substitutes: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 Francois Louw, 19 Heinrich Brüssow, 20 Fourie du Preez, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Juan de Jongh.
Namibia:
15 Chrysander Botha, 14 Danie Dames, 13 Danie van Wyk, 12 Piet van Zyl, 11 Heine Bock, 10 Theuns Kotze, 9 Eugene Jantjies, 8 Jacques Nieuwenhuis, 7 Jacques Burger (c), 6 Tinus du Plessis, 5 Nico Esterhuyse, 4 Heinz Koll, 3 Marius Visser, 2 Bertus O'Callaghan, 1 Johnnie Redelinghuys
Substitutes: 16 Hugo Horn, 17 Jané du Toit, 18 Pieter Jan van Lill, 19 Rohan Kitshoff, 20 Ryan de la Harpe, 21 Darryl de la Harpe, 22 Conrad Marais
* Click HERE for the latest RWC odds on BET.CO.ZA
