The Bok group is anticipating an epic battle against New Zealand when the edges cross paths in back-to-back Tests within the house leg of the Rugby Championship beginning this weekend.
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The arch-rivals will kick off their campaigns within the Southern Hemisphere showpiece on the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Saturday, 6 August, and can comply with this up with one other Test at Ellis Park in Johannesburg every week afterward Saturday, 13 August.
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Former nationwide captain Jean de Villiers, who has performed a number of unforgettable Tests against the All Blacks, has now shared his ideas on how the Boks can get the higher hand over their archi-rivals.
“The All Blacks have been poor results-wise and will want to rectify that in South Africa,” De Villiers advised BokSquad. “They are struggling with certain areas of their game, which the Boks will want to exploit.
“Another factor is that New Zealand’s players no longer play Super Rugby in South Africa. In the past, they would get to play at altitude during Super Rugby so it wouldn’t have too much of an effect on them in the Tri-Nations or Rugby Championship. Many of their players who come to South Africa this year won’t be used to it, which will benefit the Boks.
“The Boks will obviously look to exploit areas of weakness in the All Blacks’ game and I hope they have learned from last year’s two matches against them,” he added.
“The Boks lost the first game narrowly after showing no ambition with ball in hand. In the second game, which they won, they did keep ball in hand and took their opportunities to attack. That is when the Boks are at their best, the 2019 World Cup final being a prime example.
“The Boks put teams under pressure by playing the game they play – a strong, solid first phase, big defence and a good kicking game – but if they can get the balance right in terms of attack, and keep ball in hand when the opportunity is there, then they can definitely win both games against the All Blacks.”
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BOK SQUAD FOR THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP:
Props:
Thomas du Toit (Sharks)
Steven Kitshoff (Stormers)
Vincent Koch (Wasps)
Frans Malherbe (Stormers)
Ntuthuko Mchunu (Sharks)
Ox Nche (Sharks)
Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92)
Hookers:
Joseph Dweba (Stormers)
Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears)
Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks)
Locks:
Lood de Jager (Wild Knights)
Eben Etzebeth (Sharks)
Salmaan Moerat (Stormers)
Ruan Nortje (Bulls)
Marvin Orie (Stormers)
Loose forwards:
Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz)
Siya Kolisi (Sharks)
Elrigh Louw (Bulls)
Evan Roos (Stormers)
Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs)
Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers)
Duane Vermeulen (Ulster)
Utility forwards:
Rynhardt Elstadt (Toulouse)
Deon Fourie (Stormers)
Franco Mostert (Honda Heat)
Scrumhalves:
Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles)
Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks)
Herschel Jantjies (Stormers)
Grant Williams (Sharks)
Flyhalves:
Elton Jantjies (NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes)
Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers)
Midfielders:
Lukhanyo Am (Sharks)
Damian de Allende (Wild Knights)
Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins)
Jesse Kriel (Cannon Eagles)
Outside Backs:
Warrick Gelant (Racing 92)
Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz)
Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks)
Utility Backs:
Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls)
Frans Steyn (Cheetahs)
Damian Willemse (Stormers)
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Rugby Championship fixtures (SA occasions):
Saturday, 6 August – Springboks v New Zealand, Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit – 17:05
Saturday, 13 August – Springboks v New Zealand, Ellis Park, Johannesburg – 17:05
Saturday, 27 August – Australia v Springboks, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide – 07:30
Saturday, 3 September – Australia v Springboks, Allianz Stadium, Sydney – 11:35
Saturday, 17 September – Argentina v Springboks, Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires – 21:10
Saturday, 24 September – Springboks v Argentina, Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban – 17:05