Preview: Springboks vs England
Jun 14,2012
A series win over England is on offer for South Africa when they host the Six Nations runners-up at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts go into the game having won the first Test a week ago in Durban and know that a win in Johannesburg will seal the series before the final game in Port Elizabeth.
Many expected a strong-looking Springbok side to have too much for England last weekend, and that proved to be the case as the home side pushed on from 6-6 at half time to claim victory.
Another tough battle of the packs is anticipated on Saturday with ‘efficiency’ set to be the buzz word once again in a first half expected to mirror the opening period of the first Test.
Only one change will be made to the Springbok run-on side that defeated their northern hemisphere rivals in the opener with Sharks back Patrick Lambie slotting into the fullback position for the injured Zane Kirchner, who was replaced at half time in last week’s game.
The only other fresh faces are seen among the replacements as Bjorn Basson takes Lambie’s place on the bench, while Werner Kruger joins the matchday squad in place of the injured Coenie Oosthuizen.
That means coach Heyneke Meyer unsurprisingly sticks with the same starting pack that dealt well with a physical England forward set-up with lock duo Eben Etzebeth and Juandre Kruger’s partnership a sign of the future of South African rugby.
Again, they’ll have the opportunity to test themselves against the same England pack that fronted up in Durban, with no changes in that area from last week’s first Test.
Instead, changes are made to the backline with injuries to Brad Barritt and Mike Brown forcing the hand of Stuart Lancaster.
Ben Foden reverts from wing to fullback after Brown (thumb) was ruled out for the rest of the tour, with David Strettle set to wear the number 11 jersey in the reshuffle.
Jonathan Joseph will make his run-on debut at outside centre to shape one of England’s youngest centre combinations of all-time when he plays alongside Manu Tuilagi (both 21 years of age).
The final change is at flyhalf where Toby Flood replaces Owen Farrell and reunites with Leicester teammate Ben Youngs.
Alex Goode takes Flood’s place on the bench which also includes Alex Corbisiero as back up prop
Key Battle: Morne Steyn vs. Toby Flood. With the more creative Toby Flood coming into the run-on side ahead of Owen Farrell, England will be hoping to find a little bit more spark for a backline that has been shuffled for this weekend.
His opposite number Morne Steyn hasn’t been as dominant as usual in 2012, but class is permanent in and he can be unstoppable on his day.
The battle of the boot will also be crucial in what’s expected to be another largely hard-fought Test.
Last Meeting: South Africa 22-17 England (Durban).
Prediction: The score line probably flattered England last week, but there was an encouraging steel and determination in this young group that suggests they’re hungry and up for the battle on this tour.
If they can hang in a bit longer this time and take their chances then you never know, but it’s more likely that the hosts will overpower them with that extra quality once more to seal the series. South Africa by 10 points.
Saturday 16 June: South Africa vs. England, Johannesburg (17:00)
South Africa: 15 Pat Lambie, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jean de Villiers (captain), 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Werner Kruger , 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Keegan Daniel, 20 Ruan Pienaar, 21 Wynand Olivier, 22 Bjorn Basson.
England: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Manusamoa Tuilagi, 11 David Strettle, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Chris Robshaw (captain), 6 Tom Johnson, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Mouritz Botha, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Lee Mears, 17 Alex Corbisiero, 18 Tom Palmer, 19 Thomas Waldrom, 20 Lee Dickson, 21 Owen Farrell, 22 Alex Goode.
Comments (16)
Jun 15, 2012 at 11:54:06
And the extra week the Boks have had together will also make a big difference to their ability to gel together. Boks to take it. It is a good thing that we can field almost exactly the same team for the game, bar one change in the starting line-up, that if anything, strengthens the team.
Jun 15, 2012 at 12:09:22
Frans Steyn vs Manu Tuilagi. A classic case of an unstoppable force meeting an immoveable object. Take as your pick as to who's who here...
Jun 15, 2012 at 22:39:40
I think it a case of david vs Goliath. Here in south africa we arent afraid of big because the garder you fall.
Jun 15, 2012 at 13:01:02
The Boks belong to all the people of South Africa. It is disgusting that SA Rugby have eliminated the greater majority of South Africans from seeing our National Treasure in action. Shame on you. How can you have transformation without involvement or participation.
Jun 15, 2012 at 14:14:14
Stoo, my vote is with Fransie....love the way he swung Manu into the ground last week....Bok, Befok!!!
Jun 15, 2012 at 14:30:33
For F sakes guys!
WHy only Boks by 10?
WHy do we give those poms more credit than they are due???
Jun 15, 2012 at 17:51:35
Jun 15, 2012 at 18:33:19
If we play from the start we should send these Pom muppets packing by around 25-30 points,, no silly kick kick kick,,, use ur skills and bonecrusher Alberts,, the poms will crumble,, then give it to the backs... Fok can't wait till Tom.
Jun 15, 2012 at 22:23:32
Free live rugby?
Nobody complains about it not being free in NZ or any other country, and I'm not sure why you turn it into a transformation thing. If you want to watch for free, then go buy a beer at the pub and get some atmosphere too.
The boks are looking good, think as a nation we need to be patient while they build up to what they are fully capable of...world dominance.
I hope Frans teaches that whipper snapper a lesson, he needs a good south african smack.
Springboks by 20, its time to step it up and England are no match.
Cant afford Sky tv so I will have to wait for the results and hopefully a repeat on you tube:(
Jun 15, 2012 at 22:44:55
I wish you get sky mate! You deserve it! Thats exacly what i do when i wanna watch a game hit the pub and make the most of it. Why some oaks have to get political and stuff. Go bokke.
Jun 15, 2012 at 23:46:48
Where is Danni Cipriani- thought he would be stealing from the beer tent at half time and tackling the cheerleaders to improve his tackle rate?
Jun 16, 2012 at 03:29:20
Go live free streaming tv lads if you wanna watch the game. For mankinds sake I hope the boks annihilate the poms.
Jun 15, 2012 at 11:44:11
Bokke by 16
I say without Barrett and their classy fullback, they are toast!
Jun 15, 2012 at 13:02:15
The Boks belong to all the people of South Africa. It is disgusting that SA Rugby have eliminated the greater majority of South Africans from seeing our National Treasure in action. Shame on you. How can you have transformation without involvement or participation.
Jun 15, 2012 at 16:17:48
Don't you mean the SABC?