Willie le Roux 6.5

Sport24: 6.5
Rugby365: 6/10
NZ Herald: 7
Ou Grote: 6

Cornal Hendricks 6

Sport24: 6
Rugby365: 6/10
NZ Herald: 5
Ou Grote: 6

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The Springbok team to face New Zealand for the 90th time shows eight changes from last week.

  • Schalk Burger will captain the team from No 8
  • Francois Louw moves to 7 for Marcell Coetzee (injured)
  • Heinrich Brüssow replaces Louw at 6
  • Lood de Jager replaces Victor Matfield (injured)
  • Vincent Koch joins the bench

This is what Heyneke Meyer had to say:

“Injuries have forced our hand a bit, but we’ve stuck with our planned rotational policy on the bench and it will be great to see what Heinrich, Vincent and Flip can do.

“The breakdown battle will again be huge and it will be good to see Heinrich and Francois play together. They are versatile players and I am convinced they will combine perfectly.

(more…)

25/07 19:40 Argentina v Australia (Mendoza)

Predictions
Rob (Ou Grote): Argentina by 3
James (Ou Grote): Australia by 5
Sportingbet: Australia
Bet.coza: Australia
Sportsbet: Australia

» Next game

25/07 17:05 South Africa v New Zealand (Johannesburg)

Predictions
Rob (Ou Grote): South Africa by 1
James (Ou Grote): South Africa by 2
Sportingbet: New Zealand
Bet.coza: New Zealand
Sportsbet: New Zealand
Gary Lemke: South Africa by 6
Simon Borchardt: New Zealand by 5
Craig Lewis: New Zealand by 6
Jon Cardinelli: New Zealand by 5
Mark Keohane: South Africa by 5

» Next game

24/07 20:00 United States of America v Japan (Sacramento)

Predictions
Rob (Ou Grote): Japan by 3
James (Ou Grote): Japan by 2
Sportingbet: Japan
Bet.coza: Japan
Sportsbet: Japan

» Next game

24/07 19:00 Canada v Tonga (Vancouver)

Predictions
Rob (Ou Grote): Tonga by 7
James (Ou Grote): Tonga by 5
Sportingbet: Tonga
Bet.coza: Tonga
Sportsbet: Tonga

» Next game

24/07 17:00 Fiji v Samoa (Sacramento)

Predictions
Rob (Ou Grote): Fiji by 5
James (Ou Grote): Fiji by 9
Sportingbet: Fiji
Bet.coza: Fiji
Sportsbet: Fiji

» Next game

3. Jannie du Plessis 7
A commanding performance at scrum time, delivering some fine attacking ball to the Boks off first phase thanks to his efforts. The knock on the head didn’t seem to phase him. Proved his detractors wrong, however next week will be the big test.

Sport24: 7
Rugby365: 7/10
OuGrote: 7.5

2. Bismarck du Plessis 7.5
Getting back to his best just in time for the World Cup. Made three turnovers at crucial times in the game and was a constant menace at the breakdown and in general play. His pre-determined substitution for the out-of-form Adriaan Strauss arguable cost the Boks the match.

Sport24: 7.5
Rugby365: 7/10
OuGrote: 7.5

1. Beast Mtawarira 7
Strong at scrum-time, forming a dominant partnership with the Du Plessis brothers. Also put in some work in the loose. His substitution was surprising.

Sport24: 7
Rugby365: 7/10
OuGrote: 6.5

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5. Victor Matfield 6
The Boks missed his captaincy (particularly in the second half) as he left the field injured early on. His dyed hair and beard may fool some of the supporters, but you can’t fool Father Time. His replacement Lood de Jager showed there is definitely life after Big Vic by putting in an immense and commanding performance.

Sport24: 6
Rugby365: 6/10
OuGrote: 6

4. Eben Etzebeth 8
A massive game from the massive man – scoring his debut test try. Did his job in the line-outs, kept the opposition honest on defence and used his power and mongrel to good effect around the park.

Sport24: 7.5
Rugby365: 8/10
OuGrote: 8

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7. Marcell Coetzee 7
He is still on track for the World Cup despite leaving the field with a knee injury that looked a lot worse than it is. Plays with a lot of mongrel and is equally at home on either side of the scrum. Combined well with Schalk and Flo to give the Wallabies plenty of grief in the loose.

Sport24: 7.5
Rugby365: 7/10
OuGrote: 7

6. Francois Louw 7
Did a lot of hard graft behind the scenes and put in a superb defensive performance. Will be twice as good in his new ‘home’ conditions at the World Cup.

Sport24: 7
Rugby365: 7/10
OuGrote: 7

» Next