Boks to fight fire with an inferno
27 Sep 2011
The Springboks intend to outbully the confrontational Samoans in Friday’s Test at North Harbour Stadium.
After a disappointing campaign in the Pacific Nations Cup, Samoa stunned the rugby world when they beat the Wallabies 32-23 in Sydney. Many believed the historic win signalled the beginning of something special, and the massive Samoan contingent in the greater Auckland area moved to buy tickets to the Samoa vs South Africa World Cup pool clash on 30 September.
The North Harbour Stadium will be at full capacity this coming Friday. There is a big South Africa-fan base in that part of New Zealand, but it won’t compare to the number of spectators clad in the blue of Samoa.
Both sets of fans will be expecting a physical romp, and there’s good reason to believe that this Samoa side will be tougher to top than sides of previous years. While they’re as physical as their predecessors, they play with more structure and purpose.
The Boks have taken note of Samoa’s performances at the 2011 tournament. They weren’t quite good enough to beat Wales, although they were competitive for large parts of that match. They steamrolled Namibia and hammered Fiji. They’re unlikely to dominate the Boks upfront, but there’s no doubt that they will try to win the battle at the collisions.
It will be a bruising contest, and there may be casualties if neither side is willing to move away from an attritional approach. Samoa have already spoken about moving the ball around, but the Boks intend to take the islanders on at the coalface no matter the cost.
It’s a strategy that should bring them the desired rewards, but they will be hoping that it doesn’t lead to further injuries to key players a week out from a quarter-final against Australia.
Bok centre Jaque Fourie said that playing two intensely physical matches back-to-back shouldn’t be a problem for this South Africa team. Following last week’s win against Namibia, the Boks enjoyed a couple of days rest, and Fourie believes this has made all the difference. The Boks have used this time to recharge and prepare themselves for an all out war at the point of contact.
‘It’s going to be physical, I’m sure we’re going to be feeling the bruises afterwards,’ said Fourie. That’s why it was important that we had the break. Your body needs to be fresh, but your mind needs to be fresh as well.’
Several players have stood out for Samoa in this tournament. Scrumhalf Kahn Foutali’i, who also plays for the Crusaders in the Super 15, has been one of the more direct No 9s while the 120kg winger Alesana Tuilagi will be an attacking threat if he’s brought into the line. Centre Seilala Mapusua is another who will look to impose himself in the tackle.
Fourie played down the threat of these individuals. While he acknowledged their talents, he believes the collective is more dangerous than before because Samoa are now using their natural talent and inclination for contact to pursue a common goal.
‘They’re a very physical team, and as is the case with the Fijians, if you allow it to get loose, they will punish you. If your kicking game and first-phase is not up to standard, they will punish you.
‘All round they’ve got a good team, so we’re not going to focus on one or two players. They stay in their structures, so we have to look at how we are going to beat the team rather than the individuals. They’re dangerous in broken play, but they seem to be even more dangerous now that they’re structured.
‘I think they’ve modelled their game on how the All Blacks play.’
The Boks have the pack to boss the islanders proving they don’t go into the game with a complacent attitude. They will also need to take the fight to the islanders in midfield, and this is where men like Frans Steyn, Fourie and even Jean de Villiers will need to prove their worth.
‘They’re very direct and physical, there’s no funny business,’ said Fourie. ‘You know what to expect, they just come straight and hard, and there defence is good as well.
‘We need to be clinical in what we want to do; we need to be as direct and physical as we can be.’
In the build up to the Fiji and Namibia matches, the Boks promised to play direct, pragmatic rugby. What transpired against Fiji was a looser albeit profitable approach against a weak defence. The Boks were also too adventurous during the early stages against Namibia, and the loss of structure led to frustration and unnecessary errors.
As Fourie suggests, the clash against Samoa will require a lift in accuracy and intensity. The Boks should beat Samoa, but their success will be determined by their ability to maintain a high standard over the course of 80 minutes. A consistently physical effort will ensure they beat the Samoans by a comfortable margin and take some much needed momentum into the play-offs.
By Jon Cardinelli, in Taupo
537 Comments
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27 Sep 2011, 10:21 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-190: but you fecking were born in Gweru!!!!!
27 Sep 2011, 10:22 am
@Helen(Helen)-194: Ja, its a Xhosa version of a “K-bomb”… Poppa has learnt well from Transie and Rossi.
27 Sep 2011, 10:23 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-188:
mount taranaki is a molehill.
use it, dont use it…
27 Sep 2011, 10:23 am
@Michael(mikeybrass)-200: Thats what I said, cant you read?
27 Sep 2011, 10:23 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-193: Xhosa’s were fast ebnnough to outwit Shaka and not get caught in a Isandlwana type military formation, that is damn quick my man!
Jongi Nokwe = Xhosa
27 Sep 2011, 10:24 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-201: Wrong… but then again don’t let the facts stand in the way of some good Bob-style bigotry… Bob being a hero to the likes of you and all that…
27 Sep 2011, 10:25 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-205:
All xhosas are fast, but not all fast people are xhosa, right?
27 Sep 2011, 10:25 am
@Atreides(Atreides)-187: They stop taxi’s cause they are a public transport. Same with busses. They also stop trucks. These vehicles have to abide by a seperate set of laws.
You got a fine, because you were breaking the law. And you didn’t go to the station did you? Why not do a quick search on location? The fact you equate the two is amazing. It must be hard being a martyr the whole time. How do you deal with the injustice of getting a fine for speeding? Its obviously racial profiling.
27 Sep 2011, 10:26 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-206:
Bob is EVERYONE’s hero.
Not even Billy Graham could fill Central Methodist
27 Sep 2011, 10:26 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-191: No you can’t. Not at all. But have his humanity in mind whilst you all go around in circles snapping at him in packs.
27 Sep 2011, 10:28 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-204: Er, I was agreeing with you…. Chill pill dude.
27 Sep 2011, 10:29 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-205: Nokwe Xhosa? Never, he must be Shangaan… Now, they are fast… Faster than any igundwane you’ve ever seen.
No, Xhosa’s were not too fast for Shaka, they were just too chicken… Like an All Black for a Bok… Puk, puk, puk, Pkaark
27 Sep 2011, 10:29 am
The Boks beat the No 6 ranked Wales by 1 point, they beat Fiji the No 16 ranked by a whopping 43 points!
Samoa is ranked 10, the margins, calculated with an exponent of a low power function might be 12-15 points, purely mathematical.
Rassie Da Man might toy with a respectable ‘upset’ by the Samoans to avoid the full strength Wallabies, however, for that to happened a compliment of the gallant quotas will have to take the field included chiliboi, the beast, aplon, ndungne and jp.
The prospect of Aplon vs the Tulagies must be a mouth watering
27 Sep 2011, 10:30 am
this will not end well.
I predict a riot.
27 Sep 2011, 10:30 am
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated)-208: What the f*k are you blathering on about? Are you being deliberately obtuse? I don’t have the slightest problem getting a fine, as I had a brake light out. My fault. But if someone had tipped them off that someone of my description was carrying drugs and they took me to the station to check it out, it wouldn’t be because I was black or pink or white. It would be because I was suspected of carrying drugs. Geez get some perspective.
Ans they didn’t do a quick search on location to spare him the humiliation.
That’s my whole point, which you completely missed. ******* saffa’s man, there’s an evil racist under every damn rock
27 Sep 2011, 10:30 am
@Michael(mikeybrass)-211: Yes.
27 Sep 2011, 10:31 am
@Helen(Helen)-209: Bob the preacher… Hero to all tenderpreneurs… Ask Juju
27 Sep 2011, 10:33 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-206: yes, attach Bob next to my name like some saffas reckon mujati stole a farm…victimised much?
how is saying you’re rhodesian bigotry?
you’re sounding like poopa now hahahahaha
27 Sep 2011, 10:33 am
@Gunther(gunther)-214:
shoe shops will be looted
27 Sep 2011, 10:34 am
@Helen(Helen)-207: not all Xhosa’s are fast…but we have a lot of fast ones.
27 Sep 2011, 10:34 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-217:
Do you consider yourself to be racist?
27 Sep 2011, 10:34 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-199: If you think so, since you hell bent on tossing people associated with certain countries and cultures! IT’S INSULTING! DO YOU FREAKING GET IT NOW!
@Helen(Helen)-198: Helen. Poppa is a grown man and must deal with whatever you lot will throw at him, based on some of the remarks he has made to you. Whether you chose to forget his humanity, or he yours, is tragic. But you lot must sort it out amongst yourselves.
Remember, everyone has value to give to this blog. Look at how much you all miss Grant10 now. Play nice.
27 Sep 2011, 10:36 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-218: Is there such a country as “Rhodesia”? If not, then why call me “Rhodesian”?
Ahem…
A common refrain to call any percieved mlungu too clever or wiley for a Xhosa is to call him “Rhodesian”
27 Sep 2011, 10:36 am
@Gunther(gunther)-214: Me too. That’s why I’m going. Nice rhyme by the way.
27 Sep 2011, 10:36 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-212: Xhosas and Mpondo repelled Shaka successfully my man, clearly you don’t know your history, you got the biased version in your gleaning in the Kisshen
27 Sep 2011, 10:36 am
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-222: You miss Grant10? Really?
27 Sep 2011, 10:36 am
With regard to the Vata Ngobeni incident, I had similar experience of a different kind in Australia about 26 years ago.. I was picked by a couple of hot chics who presumed that I could be a dealer. My experience was however pleasurable… win some, lose some
Ngobeni should hang around until he gets picked up by a white Chic looking for someone who fits the profile of a man with a huge d ick. He should shag her and then lay a complaint at the same police station as a victim of racial profiling.. they can decide whether they would like to investigate further
27 Sep 2011, 10:36 am
@Helen(Helen)-221: Nope. I love Xhosas, okay?
27 Sep 2011, 10:37 am
waar’s Grant10?
27 Sep 2011, 10:37 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-220:
I have nothing against xhosas. Some of my best friends know people who have met xhosas.
Ok, they weren’t real xhosas, more like dark skinned eastern capers.
Ok, they weren’t really dark skinned and they lived close to the border of the eastern cape. Ok, not very close, but in Botswana. In fact, I think they spoke Tswana.
27 Sep 2011, 10:38 am
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-222: Here’s a can of whoopass now quieten down umfazi.
27 Sep 2011, 10:38 am
@Atreides(Atreides)-215: Ya, I see what you getting at, but your last post was still pretty stupid, the running to the papers stuff.
The point is, you can explain it how you like, but somewhre along the line there was extreme racism. Where’s this guy who made the claim? Why don’t they arrest him?
Somebody had an issue with a black man at the bar and the police were happy to oblige and remove him.
27 Sep 2011, 10:38 am
All Blacks peaking just at the right time….Boks doing ok but not good really that good had trouble against Wales and only got 49 points on Fiji…
27 Sep 2011, 10:38 am
@youknowwho(youknowwho)-227:
helloooo sweetie!
27 Sep 2011, 10:38 am
@youknowwho(youknowwho)-227:
ooops, I meant to say, wazup p***?
27 Sep 2011, 10:39 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-225: “Repelled”? What… Basusa moyo? Not overcome, or fight but “repell”… Hayi, thats funny, umfanawami.
27 Sep 2011, 10:40 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-225: Was that in the ’94 election?
27 Sep 2011, 10:41 am
@Ratel Brussow(Morne Steyn is under-rated)-232: That’s the point I made in the first post…the issue lies with the guy who made the call, not the cops. And you’ll get a-holes like that wherever you go
27 Sep 2011, 10:41 am
Damn thy uncovered Agent Vaka, was meant to slip the AB’s the suzy 2.0 now known as vakuzi, new Zealand intelligence must be better than anticipated. I told WPTID not to blow his cover the other day sigh………………….
27 Sep 2011, 10:41 am
@Helen(Helen)-219:
I’m a size 13 if you get a chance.
@youknowwho(youknowwho)-227:
yes yes langers.
you were dancing in a nightclubin your wifebeater vest with your dome shining and your gut hanging out when a pair of Brisban slappers who had ingesgted too much E thought you were budda.
however once they smelt you they realised you were more pudda than budda.
27 Sep 2011, 10:42 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-223: “common refrain” where?
referring to yourself as “clever” has to be the biggest joke of the thread bwahhahahahaha.
is there a country/homeland called Transkei? you and you ex ExTraball used to refer to it a lot
i don’t mind if you call me Transkeian, not a stitch.
27 Sep 2011, 10:42 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-228:
i love them too.
i miss the days when they were in charge…
27 Sep 2011, 10:42 am
@Atreides(Atreides)-215:
Any decent anti drugs measures are based on information and informers, NZ police is no different
Only the geography is varied, for instance if you assumed the highly improbable event where the Hillbrow police conducts searches of black guys for drug carring, that won’t be considered a racial profiling, right?
27 Sep 2011, 10:43 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-236: yes repel ie to ward off or force back an attack or invasion…you aren’t too “clever” are you?
27 Sep 2011, 10:43 am
@Gunther(gunther)-240:
Langers is closer to the action, I’ll ask him to ‘pop’ into Harrods during the next riot
27 Sep 2011, 10:44 am
@Staal(Staal)-229:
He is supporting Namibia.
He has booked himself in at the Oranjemund Holiday in for a three week fanfest.
27 Sep 2011, 10:45 am
@Atreides(Atreides)-226: very much.
27 Sep 2011, 10:45 am
@Gunther(gunther)-240:
“wifebeater vest” bwhahahahaqha.
27 Sep 2011, 10:45 am
@Gunther(gunther)-246: Oh for shame poor man, that is truly Chrysanderesque
27 Sep 2011, 10:46 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-241: Bit.chy
Did I refer to “myself” a clever? No. Did I refer to a term given by Xhosas for a clever or wiley Mlungu… Yes. Now if you infer that I am saying that I am clever or wiley then what does that say? That you think that I am too clever and wiley for a Xhosa…? Ahem… bahla 
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