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There’s a lot to play for as we head into the latest stage of the Rugby Championship. The last round of the tournament saw high drama as South Africa toppled the All Blacks in New Zealand whilst the Wallabies lost at home to Argentina. It is clear to see where the momentum will be going this week.
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Michael Cheika will be desperate for a much-needed win to settle the unease surrounding his future as head coach, while Rassie Erasmus will want to prove to his critics that his country’s win in New Zealand was not just a one-off.
The two sides will meet at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium where South Africa have enjoyed strong success in recent years.
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Here’s our pick of four players that we think could make the difference in today’s clash.
Cheslin Kolbe
After scoring against New Zealand, Erasmus has rightly seen fit to grant a start for the 24-year-old South Africa winger. Currently playing for Stade Toulousain, the Top 14 star attracted much attention after some dazzling performances for the French outfit at the start of the season. His ability to find holes from the tightest of angles makes him a dangerous threat from anywhere on the pitch. Couple this with his speed and you have a real attacking option for the Springboks.
Israel Folau
It is well known of the threat that Israel Folau poses for any attacking team, however the Australia winger could play a more crucial role than ever in today’s clash. Folau stands at an impressive 6ft 4, whilst his opposite opponent Cheslin Kole is far shorter in comparison at only 5ft 6. If Australia decide to use the high ball above Kolbe it could prove to be a long night for the Bok 14 if he can’t compete with Folau.
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The Australia winger will be looking to bounce back from the last round of the Championship when he missed a try-scoring opportunity in the final moments of the match against Argentina. Despite this very rare error, we are still certain of the attacking threat that this man will bring to the men in green and gold.
Willie Le Roux
The South Africa full-back has been in scintillating form for club and country over the past month and that does not look like changing anytime soon. After an impressive performance for Wasps last weekend, the Bok 15 will be aiming to use his ability to evade the tackle against the likes of Haylett-Petty and Reece Hodge.
Le Roux’s ability to spot the ball out wide could prove decisive today with the likes of Kolbe and Dyantyi on the wings who can capitalise on this attacking prowess.
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David Pocock
Similarly to Folau, Pocock is a well-known game changer for any team that he appears for. However in this case his inclusion in the squad will be more important than ever. Pocock will be playing Number 8 today and he will be coming up against his far more internationally inexperienced opponent in Sikhumbuzo Notshe. If Pocock can target Notshe at the breakdown, then it is very possible that the Boks will be on the back foot for large parts of this match.
South Africa lost Warren Whitely to injury in the last round and Pocock will be fully aware of the havoc that he can cause against a less experienced Number 8.
Follow all the stats and information for this match with our Live Blog listed below.
Comments on RugbyPass
“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
3 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
2 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
3 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
3 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
3 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to comments