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Cape Town - Springbok scrumhalf Francois Hougaard says they are by no means lacking in intensity as they prepare to face minnows Namibia on Thursday.
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The Boks are expected to ease past their African neighbours, but Hougaard told the Beeld newspaper his team-mates refuse to view the game as a gimme.
"There is no way that we will fall into any sort of comfort zone. The competitiveness between the players is just too strong and the pride to give your best for your country and the Springboks is too big. We may know a few of the players from the other team (Namibia) and some of them are team-mates in provinces, but this is firstly a Test that you are playing for the Springboks," said Hougaard.
"It remains a privilege and a chance you must grab and cherish."
Even though he was picked at scrumhalf for the clash against Namibia, the 23-year-old Blue Bull realises his chance for a permanent spot at No 9 will come in future.
Du Preez is expected to be back at scrumhalf for the game against Samoa.
"Fourie (Du Preez) deserves to play there. He is one of the senior players and decision makers in the team."
And Hougaard is more than happy to help out as a substitute on the wing for the rest of the tournament.
"The fun part in coming on as a substitute is that the coach expects you to try and make an impact and on the wing you play the situation, so it's easier. Scrumhalf-play is far more structured," said Hougaard.
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 Boks are expected to ease past their African neighbours, but Hougaard told the Beeld newspaper his team-mates refuse to view the game as a gimme.
"There is no way that we will fall into any sort of comfort zone. The competitiveness between the players is just too strong and the pride to give your best for your country and the Springboks is too big. We may know a few of the players from the other team (Namibia) and some of them are team-mates in provinces, but this is firstly a Test that you are playing for the Springboks," said Hougaard.
"It remains a privilege and a chance you must grab and cherish."
Even though he was picked at scrumhalf for the clash against Namibia, the 23-year-old Blue Bull realises his chance for a permanent spot at No 9 will come in future.
Du Preez is expected to be back at scrumhalf for the game against Samoa.
"Fourie (Du Preez) deserves to play there. He is one of the senior players and decision makers in the team."
And Hougaard is more than happy to help out as a substitute on the wing for the rest of the tournament.
"The fun part in coming on as a substitute is that the coach expects you to try and make an impact and on the wing you play the situation, so it's easier. Scrumhalf-play is far more structured," said Hougaard.
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
