Memories of past glorious and ferocious battles between the Springboks and the All Blacks were recalled in the build-up to today’s Test match in Christchurch. Former captain John Smit handed out the jerseys, reminding the players of the last time South Africa beat New Zealand away from home – a 32-29 victory in Hamilton in 2009. All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, highlighting how tough SA-NZ rugby matches can be, recalled one of the most vicious of Test matches between these two teams – the second Test of the 1970s series at Newlands. All Blacks fullback Fergie McCormick tackled Bok winger Syd Nomis so hard that he knocked out him out along with several of Nomis’s teeth. The Springboks lost that Test by one point, but bounced back in the third Test in Port Elizabeth and gave McCormick such a vicious time that he was unable to play in the fourth Test. Those were the days when the response to such violence was shrill blasts on the whistle from the ref, a penalty and a beer after the game. The Christchurch clash will be without such levels of violence, but won’t lack for passion. – David O’Sullivan
From Sport24
South African skipper Adriaan Strauss has dismissed strident criticism of his underperforming side as he revealed a plan to unsettle New Zealand when they clash in Christchurch on Saturday.
Another runaway victory for the unbeaten All Blacks could see them sew up the Rugby Championship with two rounds to spare while the Springboks, with only one win from three games, need a miraculous recovery to stay in contention.
The Springboks’ woeful record, less than a year after they were only a whisker away from beating the All Blacks in the World Cup semi-finals, has brought a scathing reaction from their home media and fans.
But Strauss shrugged off the criticism on Friday and said it was not universal as the Springboks go through a rebuilding phase.
“The info that I get is quite positive and people support us, but I also know there is a lot of criticism and it’s part of the game it’s part of the transition process,” he said.
Strauss intends stepping away from Test rugby at the end of this year, at the relatively young age of 30 for a hooker, but said it was part of the rebuild.
“We’ve got a long term plan but we don’t want to sacrifice any games getting there. We want to win every single Test match that we play.”
Strauss said they had taken note of how Argentina matched the New Zealanders for 50 minutes last week.
And the visitors had also reviewed their World Cup semi-final in which the All Blacks sneaked home 20-18 before beating Australia 34-17 in the final.
“We definitely have had a look at the past and we learn from that,” Strauss said.
“When the All Blacks get into their stride and play the type of rugby they want to it’s a very difficult team to stop.
“If you do unsettle them it makes a good battle on the day and that’s something we’re going to have to do, unsettle them and not let them dictate the game.”
Teams:
New Zealand
15 Ben Smith 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody
Substitutes: 16 James Parsons, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Matt Todd, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Lima Sopoaga, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown
South Africa
15 Johan Goosen, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Elton Jantjies, 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 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Willem Alberts, 21 Jaco Kriel, 22 Morne Steyn, 23 Damian de Allende – Sport24
Source:Â http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/RugbyChampionship/boks-have-plan-to-unsettle-all-blacks-20160916
