Opinion: Clash of the giants
South Africa's forwards scrummage against Wales during their Rugby World Cup quarter-final at Twickenham in London, United Kingdom October 17, 2015. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY South Africa's forwards scrummage against Wales during their Rugby World Cup quarter-final at Twickenham in London, United Kingdom October 17, 2015. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
IT doesn’t get any bigger than the Springboks versus the All Blacks. And the stakes will be even higher on Saturday when the teams meet in the semi-final of the Rugby World Cup.
It’s a shame that one of these two great rivals will be eliminated before the showpiece final, although some people are already calling the showdown the final before the actual final.
The Boks have certainly not been at their best at this tournament, having kicked off with a humiliating defeat against Japan. But their confidence has grown since recording wins over Samoa, Scotland and the USA in the pool stage and beating Wales in Saturday’s quarter-final.
And, although the Springboks squeaked into the last four and the All Blacks totally outgunned France, the pressure of a semi-final is a great leveller.
But New Zealand will still be the hot favourites. They way they dismantled France on Saturday night sent out an ominous warning to Heyneke Meyer’s stuttering side.
New Zealand play with pace, creativity and power, and their key players are coming to the World Cup party in a big way. Players like Dan Carter and Julian Savea looked unstoppable in the match against their World Cup bogey team.
The All Blacks also aren’t as predictable as the Springboks, and have arguably the better team on paper.
The Boks rely on muscle rather than brains and a game plan that is outdated. It almost cost them against the spirited Welsh, who knew exactly how to stop the Boks from gaining momentum.
But it’s also a plan that has managed to get the job done for the Springboks in the past, most famously 20 years ago when Francois Pienaar lifted the William Webb-Ellis trophy. The Boks may require a few moments of brilliance, such as captain Fourie du Preez’s match-winning try that halted Wales’ resistance at Twickenham.
Whichever way the match goes, it’s bound to be an absolute treat for rugby fans the world over. South Africa will be gripped by rugby fever this week, and hopefully it will continue for another week thereafter.