As mens in ag neem hoe die Lions en WP verlede week gespeel het, behoort Saterdag se eindstryd een van die aanskoulikstes in jare te wees.
Die spanne was nog nie bekend ten tye van die skrywe hiervan nie, maar ek verwag nie enige verrassings nie.
Baie kommentators sien die besoekers, met reg, as die gunstelinge Saterdag.
Die Lions het die minste ontwrigting gehad in terme van top spelers wat Springbok-diens moes verrig, en het grootliks voortgebou op hul uitstekende vertoning in die Super 15 reeks. Dit is ‘n goed gebalanseerde span, met geen ooglopende swakhede nie.
Die WP is waarskynlik verlig dat hulle nie as gunstelinge beskou word nie.
Die feit dat hulle net een wedstryd verloor het, en dit met hul B-span, sowel as die tuisveld voordeel, is reeds genoeg om druk te laai. Om boonop as die gunstelinge beskou te word, sou dinge net erger maak.
Die afranseling van die Sharks verlede week dien vir baie as aanduiding dat die Lions weer op loop gaan sit hierdie naweek. Mens moet egter in gedagte hou dat die Sharks sowat 40 verbroude duikslae uitgevoer het, wat fataal is teen ‘n span wat uitblink met hardlooprugby.
Daarteenoor het die WP sedert 2009 goeie verdediging die basis van hul spel gemaak. Vanjaar, onder die stil invloed van Gert Smal, is die talent op die aanval ook ingespan, wat hulle bo-aan die punteleer laat eindig het.
SoosTolla gesê het: “Dis nie sommer net vir kom vat nie.”
Wat die uitslag ookal is, een ding is seker: dit gaan ‘n mooi wedstryd wees, en die toekoms van SA rugby lyk rooskleurig as sy top provinsiale spanne hierdie klas rugby kan opdis.
Springbok Outward Tour
Paul Kruger
Chatting to Pieter de Villiers, scrum coach of the Boks, on Tuesday in Stellenbosch, (seen below in picture with Albert Marais of Moonstone Training) he indicated that the tour will not be a picnic. He rates England and Ireland as two very good sides, while the match against Italy will be testing for the forwards, especially. Playing Wales in Cardiff is never easy, particularly in front of a proud nation of rugby supporters.
The Springboks appeared relaxed after their two-week rest. I even saw Heyneke Meyer smile twice.
Rozanne Boonzaier from our Marketing Department was lucky enough to meet Victor Matfield
David Miller or Rilee Rossouw?
by Bobby Londt
The Proteas kicked off their tour with a solid display in their first game against the Black Caps. All in all, it was a mature and clinical finish by the men in green. There were one or two little hiccups but it ended well with AB and JP working hard to create a partnership on a difficult pitch. Their ability to adapt saw them cruise to victory.
The Black Caps will need to improve their batting and be more patient in their approach if they want to compete. With RossTaylor and Kane Williamson out with injury, the remaining batters will need to stand up and be counted. The return of Tim Southey will add to their bowling attack, but the balance of their side is influenced by the return of Daniel Vetori.
The Proteas seem to have their best XI and combinations settled. Rilee Rossouw had a decent outing in the last game – an opportunity that arose due to David Miller being ill with a viral infection. The return of Miller to the side for this game is a given. I find the speculation in the press about which of the two to pick, astounding. Perhaps some journalists don’t have anything else to write about. Miller is a proven quantity and essential to our World Cup plans. His inclusion is a no brainer, in my opinion.
Hopefully the boys can seal the series tomorrow. If they win all three games, they will return to the number 1 ranking in ODIs for the first time in 5 years.
