Classic match ups for 3rd Test
IT WOULD have taken the bravest of punters to suggest the Springboks would go into today’s third Test at Ellis Park with the series sealed.
While Springbok coach Allister Coetzee would have liked to pick an unchanged side, head injuries have forced his hand.
With the majority of the players having embellished their reputations, here are those who will have more than a point to prove. Outside Centre Jesse Kriel (18 caps) Damien Penaud (one)
Concussion through bad positioning in a tackle ended Kriel’s participation in the first Test at Loftus and with Lionel Mapoe putting in a creditable performance last week, the pressure’s on the Bulls utility back to prove he’s the go-to man at 13.
There are still question marks in regards to his distribution and his defence but there’s no doubt about his speed when put into space.
France’s Penaud asked questions that some of South Africa’s tacklers weren’t able to answer. Scrumhalf Francois Hougaard (41)/Rudy Paige (seven) v Baptiste Serin (12)
The pace Hougaard injected into the two Tests after the platform laid by Ross Cronje were critical to the strong finishes the Boks had.
There’s a clear improvement in his passing and the speed of his delivery. The only real question he’ll have to answer is the box-kicking one.
As for Paige, whether he’ll deliver the same speed injection remains to be seen even though he has a good handle of his basics. On the other hand, Serin plays as if he’s got an unlimited supply of nuclear energy. Blindside flank Jean-Luc du Preez (three) v Yacouba Camara (five)
France’s inability to deal with the Boks’ physicality has been mirrored by Camara.
Du Preez has been unleashed in spurts but his impact has been significant. Tighthead prop Ruan Dreyer (debut) v Jefferson Poirot (10)
Dreyer’s starting inclusion may be a surprise ahead of the more experienced Coenie Oosthuizen but from a form and technical perspective, he hasn’t jumped the queue.
Poirot will be an able challenger for the inexperienced but talented Dreyer. Hooker Malcolm Marx (four) v Guilhem Guirado (52)
It was clear Marx had one up on the French captain.
Marx’s throwing was exemplary and once he gets this sorted with regularity, calls for Bismarck du Plessis’s return will cease. Bongi Mbonambi deserves to have a full last quarter to answer any questions that may arise from a depth perspective. v