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Taupo - In Victor Matfield’s absence, Danie Rossouw called the lineouts, ran more with the ball and was one of the Springboks’ most impressive players on the park.
With Matfield set to make his return from a hamstring injury in Friday’s match against Samoa, Rossouw will swap the number five jersey for the number four and revert back to playing a tighter game.
Rossouw said on Monday he would adapt to the role and play things a bit differently.
"Yes my role changes as Victor will be calling the lineouts," Rossouw said.
"I must clean a bit more and there might be less running from my side."
As one of the most impressive tight forwards for South Africa at the Rugby World Cup thus far, Rossouw said he was keen to experience his new challenge in the match against Samoa, a team which had shown a lot more patience than it did in the past.
"They (Samoa) did well in their game against Fiji," he said.
"They built an innings and that is a big thing, or a new thing that I saw from them. They are also a bit more structured and that is what makes them a bit more dangerous at this moment."
Contrary to popular belief, Rossouw had not taken time to go hunting with some of his Bulls team-mates but instead was obliged to be part of various, exclusive four-balls at Lake Taupo’s golf courses.
One of the men who made sure he chased after the illusive white ball was Matfield - a self confessed golf addict.
Rossouw said the role he had been asked to perform in Matfield’s absence was made easier by his friendship with the giant lock.
"Victor played a huge part in the lineout-calls I had to make, because that is the way we have done things at the Bulls where he would always help me.
"That (learning from Matfield) is a huge privilege because he is one of the best lineout locks in the world and he makes it a lot easier."
