1
The Jean de Villiers verdict: 'I'm not feeling confident at all'
Former Springboks midfielder Jean de Villiers has outlined his fears ahead of South Africa’s clash with Ireland on Saturday night – but he still believes the defending Rugby World Cup champions will still manage a narrow Pool B victory.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Stade de France fixture has enjoyed even more of a hyped build-up than the September 8 tournament opener featuring host France and the All Blacks and de Villiers has discussed what might unfold with fellow former Springboks talisman Victor Matfield and ex-Ireland scrum-half Peter Stringer.
“I’m not feeling confident at all,” admitted de Villiers to Betway Insider. “I’m so worried about it because it’s so close. It’s so tight. It will probably come down to a decision, a bit of luck, and that’s essentially what you need to win a World Cup as well.
“There’s no doubt that this game will be decided between two contrasting styles, the defence of the Springboks and the attack of Ireland, and whoever wins that battle kind of wins the game. There’s not a lot in it between these two teams.
“On the day, weather conditions may play a part. If it rains, does it suit the Boks? Does it suit Ireland? Will they be able to play their attacking game from an Irish point of view? Will you be able to have that line speed from a defensive point of view? It really is one of those where, hey, can I go for a draw? That might just not be a bad call.
“Definitely the two form teams, currently the number one and number two ranked teams in the world, and it just makes for a monumental game. These teams would have been analysing for months on end going into this game, and also knowing what it means to go further in this competition.
“We’re sitting here today and still both those teams could possibly not make it through to a quarter-final, with Scotland also in contention. So it really opens it up and the interest in this game is huge.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Everything that I have seen from both these teams shows that it will be a close game. Obviously, with the heart, I’m still going for South Africa, but I’m worried about the challenge that lies ahead.”
Matfield added: “I feel the same as Jean. I probably think the weather conditions can play a role. If the humidity is high as it’s been in France and the guys are all sweaty and the ball is wet, then South Africa might be the favourites.
“But humidity in Paris may not be as bad as down in the south and if they get quick ball, then Ireland must be the favourite. I’ve said it so many times, this game, the quarter-finals and the final in this World Cup could be decided by a referee’s decision, a yellow card or whatever. So it’s going to be about the discipline, not giving away any cards, but it’s going to be really tight.
“If you had said six months ago, Malcolm Marx won’t be there, Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo Am, then we would have said we have got no chance in this World Cup. But this group have shown the depth that is in this squad is just unbelievable.
ADVERTISEMENT
“A lot of people now that Handre is coming are saying, must he come over? Is it the right choice? Isn’t Manie Libbok certain of his position, the 10 jersey? Going with Manie and with Damian Willemse at 15, we’ll see South Africa playing a little bit more rapid. They won’t be as conservative as in previous years.
“I’m still worried, I’m not sure if we can beat Ireland at their own game with the ball in hand. I still believe it will have to be a set-piece battle. We need to dominate them on that gain line and we must get our kicking game right.
“I am a little bit worried about Malcolm not being there, slowing the ball down for Ireland because we know if Ireland get quick ball you are in trouble with all those options they have. The breakdown is going to be so important. It’s a massive game and it might be a referee decision, might be a bounce of the ball, but I think it’s going to be really close.”
How close? “20-17 to South Africa,” reckoned Matfield. De Villiers: “I’ll go 28-26 South Africa.” Stringer, though, was backing his former team. “I’m going to go 25-21 Ireland.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
1 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
27 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
27 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
27 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
27 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
27 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
6 Go to commentsIreland are only the People’s Champions in Irish eyes. The rest of the world do not care for them very much because of attitudes of people like Gordon, Ferris, Best, Jackman…I could go on!!
27 Go to commentsNot sure how Karl Dickson can ever ref a Quins game, he played for the club for 8 years as understudy to Care and is still close friends with half the team
3 Go to commentsAre bookies taking bets on how many times Vunipola's eventual statement will use the term “elders"? My money is on at least 4 times.
4 Go to commentsSo Ireland will be tired, despite having the most rested test squad in the world. They only play tests, champions cup and urc play off games ffs! Case in point; Leinster sent a B squad to SA for their last two games while their first xv rested up and trained at their leisure for the sf vs Saints at the so called ‘neutral venue’ of Croke Park. So tired? Do me a favour… And as for “people’s champions”? Seriously??? Outside of Ireland they are respected for their ability to win 6N. And of course plenty of inconsequential test friendlies without any real pressure. WC ko games when the pressure is white hot? Not so much…
27 Go to commentsSurprising how standing down or benching a player can do wonders for their motivation. Several players this week in that category.
2 Go to commentsHaha lads lads lads, that’s how you have a holiday In Majorca
4 Go to commentshit on Lynagh was defo late and card-worthy. The other 2 are bang on OK. Hurts you at Test level if youre timing is off and the nostrils are flared. Jerry C knew when to lean in on one, Finau just needs to keep his discipline and head straight.
7 Go to commentsSlade was exceptional against Gloucester. Not only was he doing the classic Slade stuff of running amazing lines and timing passes to perfection to put his wingers into space, he was kicking goals, flying off the line smashing people and crashing into rucks like a flanker… his hair even looked on point. 😍
1 Go to commentsThat’s really sad, hope everyone involved is ok. At least he had pants on.
4 Go to commentsTo be fair it was nowhere bear the Leinster first team (for which, btw, Leinster copped nothing like the outrage that Jake White did for sending a rotated team to the UK). But it’s fun to watch the Stormers doing their thing. They are attracting big, diverse crowds of young fans, and deservedly so. Great to see.
1 Go to commentsIt might be legal but he’s sailing pretty close to the wind. Not a lot needs to go wrong for Finau to end up in the bin. Was it late? Not quite, but borderline. High? A couple of CM within the laws, no room for error with that one. Did he wrap the arms? There was a token effort to wrap one arm, the intent was clearly to hit with the shoulder. So yeah, it’s legal, just. But as we all know, a very slight change in the dynamics could easily have him seeing red. Hopefully not when it really matters.
7 Go to comments