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Newlands a testing ground for Bok forwards
The Stormers pack is pretty much the core of the Bok pack when at full strength, and some of the Stormers forwards admitted after their mauling at the hands of the Bulls at Loftus at the start of the season that they got a haranguing from the Bok coach because of it. When he next saw them, which was at an alignment camp a few weeks later, he was direct and honest in telling them that their performance just wasn’t good enough.
Of course, the Stormers were under-strength when they went to Pretoria. Eben Etzebeth wasn’t there, Frans Malherbe wasn’t there, neither was Steven Kitshoff. That’s three big Bok names missing from the tight five. So this game is the real litmus test for wannabe Boks in the Bulls pack, and their lock RG Snyman summed it up earlier this week when he spoke about how eager he was to play against his Bok teammates.
This is a game where the Stormers forwards need to shake off some of their inconsistency of this season and put in a full 80 minutes. They can’t drift in and out of their scrumming focus as they have at times this year, they need to be there for the full match. It goes without saying that they also can’t repeat the lineout woes that blighted them at Loftus.
At the same time though for the Bulls forwards it is a great opportunity to show that they can mix it with the best pack, certainly on paper, that can be assembled against them locally. Trevor Nyakane, whether he is up against Wilco Louw or Malherbe, this is his big moment. If he can cook against these opponents, then he should find himself penned into the World Cup squad. Conversely if he is part of a pack that is destroyed in the scrums he will still have it all to do. It is a pity Schalk Brits isn’t starting for the Bulls, because this would also be another good test for him, but for those Bulls players who might consider themselves fringe challengers for the Boks, this is their opportunity.
In the recent past the trend has been for the Loftus result to be reversed in Cape Town, and last year the Stormers scrum responded to the mauling they were subjected to in Pretoria with a furious Newlands performance that set up their team’s win. As comprehensive as the Bulls’ win in Pretoria was, we could well see history repeating itself.
The Stormers certainly have plenty to play for, and the hurt of the unexpected loss to the Brumbies will be added to their motivation.
And motivation should be the key word for the Sharks, who start their overseas tour on Saturday off two successive home defeats. Sharks coach Robert du Preez has selected a strong team for the game, but what is their morale like? There has been a lot of talk about morale this week, but that is not always a good sign.
The Lions won unexpectedly last week and are very much back in conference contention. When Warren Whiteley is in the team, they do seem like a different animal. They are without Malcolm Marx this week though, and they are playing the Crusaders in Christchurch. Winning there will take something even more special than last week’s performance.
WEEKEND PREVIEWS AND PREDICTIONS
South African Conference
Crusaders v Emirates Lions (Christchurch, Friday 09.35)
These two teams met in the final for two years in a row, and this match is effectively a repeat of last year’s decider. But it isn’t being built up like that, for while the Lions did shock the Chiefs, and that has prompted some Kiwis to view them as South Africa’s best team, the reality is that they’ve been as hot and cold as the rest of the South African sides.
And when they’ve been cold, they’ve been really cold. There’s been a lot happening in the Lions camp, with the coach returning to South Africa, so hopefully Warren Whiteley’s leadership will hold it all together and they will mount a credible challenge. It’s just hard to see them winning.
Prediction: Crusaders by 16
Waratahs v Cell C Sharks (Sydney, Saturday 11.45)
The return to the starting team of Jean-Luc du Preez and to the match day squad of Ruan Botha and Akker van der Merwe has brought experience and added a staunchness to the Sharks team list that has been lacking recently.
They didn’t respond like they usually do to defeat when they hosted the Reds. At least they didn’t win the game, you can’t fault them for effort.
What the Sharks need is a more dynamic game plan, and maybe, if the forwards gain ascendancy in their battle, that could be provided by Curwin Bosch now that he is starting at flyhalf. A gut feel, no more than that, but based on their resources at forward and Bosch’s possible impact, says they might spring a surprise.
Prediction: Sharks by less than 7
DHL Stormers v Vodacom Bulls (Cape Town, Saturday 15.05)
The Stormers pack has been significantly strengthened since the first round mauling in Pretoria. The first 20 minutes, meaning the initial battle for physical ascendancy, will be crucial, as it always seems to be when these two teams play. Last year both contests were effectively settled in the first quarter, and that was the case in the first round game a few months back too. The Stormers, now that Eben Etzebeth is back, probably have the edge at forward. The Bulls though have Marco van Staden and Duane Vermeulen together in the loose-forwards, and playing to the ball isn’t a Stormers strength. Further balancing the battle out is the halfbacks, where the Bulls have the better and more experienced decision makers. Those things might not count for much though if the Stormers tight five dominates. Which it could. Nay, probably should, at least if the recent Bok selections in that area have been the right ones.
Prediction: Stormers by 8.
Jaguares v Brumbies (Buenos Aires, Saturday 23.40)
The Jaguares appeared to rediscover their mojo against the Sharks, and will be out to prove it against a Brumbies team that sent out a clear message about what tour match they had targeted with their herculean effort in Cape Town last week.
They had to make 226 tackles. They will feel the bruises and the effects of travel, which is why the Jaguares should be favoured to win, and possibly with something to spare.
Prediction: Jaguares by 10
Australasian Conference
Sunwolves v Highlanders (Tokyo, Friday 12.00)
Prediction: Sunwolves to scrape it.
Hurricanes v Chiefs (Wellingon, Saturday 09.35)
Prediction: Hurricanes by 10
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