Bismarck must fire up Boks for the Bravehearts

Team needs hooker to hit his straps against Scots

SPRINGBOK hooker Bismarck du Plessis is a central figure in tomorrow’s World Cup Pool B clash against Scotland at St James’ Park.

Out-of-sorts against Japan, dropped for the Samoa encounter, Du Plessis is back in the starting lineup but there is a feeling that he could be playing for his place.

Adriaan Strauss was excellent against Samoa last week and Schalk Brits very good off the bench. Du Plessis needs to fire because when he is on song, there is no better hooker in world rugby.

But he’s looked like an unhappy tourist for much of the campaign, and his one performance, while laced with moments of brilliance, was largely uninspiring.

Without the injured Victor Matfield and Jean de Villiers, the team needs its leaders and experienced players to stand up. Du Plessis could be the touch paper that ignites the pack and draws another fiery performance from them. Against a primed Scotland Bismarck needs to rediscover his mojo.

This is only the second World Cup meeting between the sides and the 26th in total between the two countries. On paper the Boks should win. But on paper they should have beaten Japan.

Scotland, under New Zealand coach Vern Cotter, are incredibly well-drilled and organised and their defensive wall won’t crumble easily. It will take 60-70 minutes of continual Bok bombardment to reap rewards. This match won’t be won in the first hour, but it could be lost if the Springboks aren’t completely engaged both physically and mentally and allow Scotland to stay in the game.

Cotter made 10 changes to the team that beat the US last Sunday while Bok coach Heyneke Meyer has made only three changes – two of them enforced.

Lood de Jager replaces Matfield at lock and Jesse Kriel takes over from De Villiers in the midfield with Du Plessis at hooker completing the shuffling.

Tomorrow’s match will be Scotland’s third outing in 10 days, which is why Cotter opted to rotate so many players. He’s also packed the side with the most physically imposing players he has – which means starts for South Africanborn prop WP Nel and flank Josh Strauss.

“Everybody saw that South Africa lifted the intensity both in attack and defence last week,” said Cotter. “They went back to a game that they’ve been playing over the past two years, which is about getting over the advantage line and then piling on pressure. They’ve got big powerful players as we know.

“These players will be giving 100% of themselves. And it’s a team that will be competitive. It’s time to step up.” Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw also warned about the Springboks’ physicality.

“They bounced back from defeat with a sound performance against Samoa. They blew a physical Samoan team off the park. We understand how tough the challenge is but it’s one we’re ready to take.”