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Springboks forced into late change ahead of New Zealand test

By Rob Lancaster
Springboks make late change

South Africa have again drafted Francois Hougaard into their starting line-up for Saturday’s clash with New Zealand in Albany after fellow scrum-half Ross Cronje was ruled out through illness.

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Cronje – who also missed the 41-23 victory over Argentina in August – has been laid low by a stomach bug ahead of the potentially pivotal Rugby Championship fixture.

With Hougaard promoted to the starting XV, as he was for the clash with the Pumas in Salta, Rudy Paige is handed a seat on the bench to provide cover.

The Springboks were held to a 23-23 draw by Australia last time out, meaning they trail the All Blacks by three points in the table with three rounds remaining.

“Despite our results so far this season, we know we will have to step up our game,” South Africa captain Eben Etzebeth said.

“A local rugby fan came up to me and said he thought the All Blacks versus Springbok games are probably the biggest in world rugby and I agree with him.

“Our matches are always massive, we know they’re our biggest competition and hopefully they feel the same about us.”

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Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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