Boks must stop rot against All Blacks

The last time the Boks beat New Zealand was in August 2011, with the All Blacks winning the last five meetings. Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images

The last time the Boks beat New Zealand was in August 2011, with the All Blacks winning the last five meetings. Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images

Published Oct 1, 2014

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Johannesburg: Schalk Burger has tasted victory against the All Blacks on just four occasions. His other nine Tests against the World’s No 1 team have ended in defeat. Now, he says, it’s time the Springboks got back in the winner’s circle.

The last time the Boks beat New Zealand was in August 2011, with the visitors to Ellis Park this weekend winning the last five meetings. There’s nothing but pride to play for in the final Rugby Championship match of the season – the All Blacks having sewn up the title last weekend – but Burger says he’d love nothing more than to get another victory against the old foe.

“The history between these two great sides is richer than all of us. We’re just playing a small part in it, but I’m hoping we can add a new storyline to it this weekend,” said the blond-haired flank yesterday.

Burger is in line to play at No 8 this weekend should Duane Vermeulen not recover in time from a rib injury he picked up against the Wallabies at Newlands. The veteran of 72 Tests is the logical replacement when you consider the impact he made off the bench in Cape Town last weekend.

Burger played for less than 30 minutes, but made 15 ball-carries in a powerful showing – a performance described by assistant coach Johann van Graan as “brilliant. He made a massive impact”.

“It’s a great opportunity for the Boks,” said Burger. “It’s the number one and number two sides in the world facing each other, and the challenge remains great. You grow up seeing these Tests, watching the ‘haka’ and about us standing up to that challenge; not letting anyone down when it comes to that challenge.”

Burger though is fully aware of the test that awaits. The All Blacks have been the dominant force in the game for years and haven’t lost on the highveld in three previous visits in the Rugby Championship.

“Let’s be honest, it’s a tough one. The All Blacks just keep running ... they’re like a pacemaker (in athletics) you can’t catch.

“All of us – the Boks, Australia and England – we’re all striving to catch them and surpass them, and while we’re all putting in a continuous effort to do so, they’re making it bloody tough.”

Indeed, but the Boks feel they’re in a good space to finally knock over the old enemy. They finished with a flourish against Australia last weekend, and have momentum and confidence behind them.

Van Graan said the side had learned a lot from last year’s match at Ellis Park, which the visitors won to clinch the Championship.

“After that game, we knew we had to up our conditioning and finish off the chances we create. We scored four tries last year and had some good linebreaks, but we weren’t accurate for 80 minutes,” said Van Graan.

“We want an 80-minute performance this weekend. It’s going to be a real test, exactly what the word says. It’s also going to require a 23-man effort; it’s not just about the 15 starters anymore.

“The key is to plan properly and know your own strengths and your opposition’s weaknesses. Also, our decision-making was very good in the final 10 minutes against the Wallabies and it’ll again be about getting the players to make the right decisions on Saturday.”

Burger added: “I’m privileged to be back here and what we have in front of us is a wonderful opportunity. The All Blacks are a great side, but so are we. We want to put up a good spectacle and hopefully get on the right side of the scoreboard.”

Meanwhile, the Bok team for Saturday’s Test will be named today. If there are to be changes, they will be injury-forced, with Vermeulen (rib) and Bryan Habana (concussion) probably given time until Friday to show they’re ready for action. - Cape Times

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