Faf tips a very close affair

Ace Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk (below) believes Saturday’s World Cup opener against New Zealand will be determined by small margins.

In their last four games, just two points have separated them, with the All Blacks winning twice and the Boks once, while their last clash ended in a draw.

“I don’t think we’re the favourites,” De Klerk admitted. “But I’m not going to say that we’re not the favourites either. We know it’s going to be a tight game.”

Bok coach Rassie Erasmus worked out a strong defensive plan with defence coach Jacques Nienaber, which frustrated the All Blacks in previous games, but De Klerk feels one or two big moments in the match might be decisive in Yokohama this weekend.

“It’s going to come down to a lucky moment or a ref call and we will have to take every opportunity we get,” he predicted. “In the last four games there has been little to separate the two teams.”

“We’re confident we can win, but I think this game is going to be a 50/50 affair.”

Considered a key component to the Bok side in wet conditions, De Klerk’s box kicks and tactical kicking have kept him in the starting line-up ahead of explosive Herschel Jantjies, who is expected to turn out on the bench.

“We want to get our structures in place and if you can pull this result through at this stage of the competition, you’re going to be in a good spot going forward.”

The Boks boast an impressive World Cup record, having made the play-offs in all six of their campaigns, but De Klerk said they are not looking beyond their opening fixture.

“We will have different tactics against different teams,” he said.

Their next games, against Namibia, Italy and Canada, are also vital, he insisted.

“If we get there, we will have to adapt once more,” he said, “but for now we need to focus on the next game, which is the All Blacks.”