Feel-good factor back
The Springboks could write their own piece of history – this time for the right reasons – at Ellis Park in the third and final Test against France today in front of the expected close to capacity terraces.
The Boks have not recorded a 3-0 whitewash since the series win against Australia in 1971, while they have remained winless in four previous Tests at this venue against France.
Coach Allister Coetzee believes it’s the perfect opportunity to build on the previous wins in Pretoria and Durban and even more important in terms of the growth of the side.
“We want to make sure we don’t disappoint ourselves and more importantly our country. There’s a big responsibility resting on the shoulders of the players,” said Coetzee.
The Bok coach said the previous two wins are testimony to how the country unites behind the team when he heard that 52 000 tickets were already sold by Thursday.
The biggest Ellis Park crowd for a French Test was the 60 000 in 1993.
“We have to give credit to South Africans,” said Coetzee (above). “If the green and gold are performing the support is enormous.”
While the four changes to the side could alter the continuity in the side slightly, it’s the performances of tighthead Ruan Dreyer in his debut and flank Jean-Luc du Preez in his first start which could draw the major interest.
The performances of scrumhalf Francois Hougaard and centre Jesse Kriel will also be crucial.
Captain Warren Whiteley, who will be surrounded by seven of his Lions team-mates at their home ground, felt the side have made massive strides over the past two weeks.
“There will again be big challenges, but we have made some big strides on and off the field,” he said. Kick-off: 5.05pm.
How a smaller wing responds when his opposite number is given space is the key factor when it comes to defence out wide, former Springbok great Breyton Paulse says.
Although the Springboks have registered two convincing victories over France, questions have been raised over whether the relatively small back three of Raymond Rhule (1.87m, 83kg), Andries Coetzee (1.81m, 86kg) and Courtnall Skosan (left, 1.83m, 92kg) will be able to handle the massive South Sea island wings that predominate in New Zealand and Australia.
It is a question Paulse, who stood just 1.78 metres tall and weighed 80kg during his playing days, often had to answer himself, but he was never disgraced during his 64 Tests.
“The key is to play smart and not be kamikaze. You have to anticipate very well and when you see space then you have to close that down as soon as possible. On the wing, you only have a one-onone with the person you’re marking probably once or twice a game.
“But you have to be aware all the time, and intelligent, like a Ben Smith. The big guys can run over you, but a smaller player has more speed so he must use it to close that space as soon as possible. But the outside centre is also key, I was fortunate to play with Jaque Fourie, who was one of the best defenders, and you get used to how each other defends,” Paulse said at a Players’ Fund and SA Rugby Legends Association training day for the Vuka development programme.
Paulse added that Coetzee, Rhule and Skosan faced all the All Black and Aussie wingers in Super Rugby and that there had not been major problems at that level.
“I have no worries about our back three because they play against those guys week in and week out. They’ve all faced massive wingers. Someone like Courtnall Skosan has proven himself to be lethal on both attack and defence and he’s very good in the air,” Paulse said.