Johannesburg - With only two outings remaining after Saturday’s clash against the All Blacks, new Springbok captain Schalk Burger says it’s important his team win Saturday’s match so they can enter the final straight with momentum behind them.
While the result in the Ellis Park showdown will have no bearing on how the Boks and All Blacks will go in England in September and October, having that winning feeling could be like having a 16th player on the field.
“The World Cup is getting closer so we want to win as many games as possible and get some momentum,” said Burger on Friday. “In sport, if you’ve got momentum then winning is the easiest thing, it comes naturally.
“If you haven’t got it (momentum) then you try and strive for it, and it’s quite tough to get. So, for us, it’s important to get a good victory; it’s a home Test and we’re looking forward to it.”
Burger will lead the side for the first time in the absence of regular skipper Jean de Villiers and stand-in Victor Matfield. It’s a Bok team that’s lost a lot of experience in the last while, because of several players being struck down by injury.
The All Blacks, too, are not quite at full strength, but the match should give a good indication of where the teams are with less than two months to the World Cup kicking off.
“There are quite a few boxes we want to tick,” Burger said. “Obviously, we want a good result, that’s important, but also the way we play is important.
“Last week against Australia we were up 20-7 and couldn’t close it out. In a World Cup you might get off to good start, but then might be under pressure to close out a game.
“This weekend, if you look at history, it’s going to be another tight game so hopefully we’ll have composure and find a way to close out the game.”
Indeed, the Boks were good for long periods against the Wallabies. But a raft of changes in the second half resulted in Heyneke Meyer’s men losing possession and territory and when they got the chance, the Wallabies struck.
They clinched a tight game in the final seconds and it’s expected Saturday’s clash will be just as close.
There will be pressure aplenty on the Boks, especially in the set-pieces, but also in defence where the hot-running backs of the All Blacks always ask questions.
Handré Pollard, Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel face their biggest examination yet as a 10-12-13 combination against the world’s No 1 side.
Upfront, all eyes will be on Lood de Jager and Heinrich Brüssow, the latter back in the Test fold for the first time in four years.
Burger said it would be important for his players to simply focus on their own game and to keep things as simple as possible.
“My job as captain is to try and keep the players as calm as possible. They don’t need any extra motivation; there’s enough buzz around team,” he said.
“We must all just focus and try get our ducks in a row... stick to the simple options and not force anything.
“Playing against the All Blacks is the match we all dream about. A couple of boys will be a little nervous, it’s a big challenge, but we’re all determined to put up a good performance.”
Line-ups:
South Africa:15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handrè Pollard, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Schalk Burger (capt), 7 Francois Louw, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira. Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Flip van der Merwe, 20 Warren Whiteley, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Lionel Mapoe.
New Zealand:15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Charles Piutau, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (capt), 6 Liam Messam, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Tony Woodcock. Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Sam Whitelock, 20 Victor Vito, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Malakai Fekitoa.
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (Fra).
Kick-off:5.05pm.
TV: SS1/M-Net
Saturday Star