Impossible to separate old rivals: de Klerk
SAPPOROSHI: Rugby’s greatest rivalry is well and truly back, according to Springbok halfback Faf de Klerk, who reckons tactical subtlety will decide his side’s World Cup showdown with the All Blacks.
The tournament should come alive in Yokohama on Saturday when the two southern powerhouses square off for the 99th time in one of the most anticipated pool matches in recent memory.
The clash would not have garnered the same boxoffice status if it was staged two years ago, such were South Africa’s struggles.
In the space of three successive tests, the
All Blacks outscored their rival 15528, leading to the sacking of coach Allister
Coetzee.
His replacement, Rassie
Erasmus, has instilled quality and fortitude the All Blacks have struggled to overcome.
The past four meetings have been decided by two points or fewer, New Zealand winning twice and South Africa once, while the July test in Wellington threw up a 1616 draw.
Influential playmaker de Klerk said those results had put the rivalry back where it once belonged for generations.
‘‘We are definitely confident that we can win, but I think in this game it is going to be 50:50,’’ he said.
‘‘We are two teams who are going to be very well prepared physically. It’s probably going to be the guy who tries to outsmart the other team.’’
Sale No 9 De Klerk will be a central cog in his team’s tactics through box kicking and launching blindside raids.
The All Blacks are likely to employ the twin playmaker tactic introduced this year, meaning Richie Mo’unga will start at first fiveeighth and Beauden Barrett at fullback.
That combination started together for the first time in the Wellington stalemate and struggled for traction.
The pair have since looked better together but de Klerk said the Boks had not spent hours planning specifically for them.
‘‘It doesn’t seem as if there is a massive difference. Mo’unga will sometimes be at 15 and Barrett at 10 — that’s just the way it works, and Ben Smith could also go to 15,’’ he said.
‘‘So their type of play won’t change a lot. We just have to be up for it.’’ — AAP