Did we witness the ultimate rugby climax this past Saturday in Dunedin, which resonated around the world for Springboks’ supporters? I am not so sure.
This rematch between the Springboks and All Blacks in 2008 is now 1-1 and as the stats showed over the last 72 encounters between the two teams, the average points spread is two points, with last Saturday being 30-28 in favour of the Boks. So is beating the All Blacks at home in Carisbrook the ultimate, being the first in a 100 years, or is beating the All Blacks in a final of the Rugby World Cup, as in 1995?
This coming Saturday we play the Wallabies and the prospect of facing Robbie Deans new look “Wallabies 22” at the Subiaco Oval looks as though it is going to be as tough a rugby match as any that the Springbok Class of 2008 are going to experience.
The Springbok/Wallabies stats show that they have met 62 times and the average point spread is but one point, in favour of the Springboks, with the average score being 17-16. Now that is close.
The last win at “Subi” was August 20 2005 and that was 22-19, having lost at home to the Australians in Sydney in 2006 and again in 2007.
When you start to compare teams and these stats with the new look South African and Australian 2008 coaches and players, with both teams having come off wins, the pulse starts to quicken. This is not going to be an easy encounter and it will be just as much as a fight to the finish in 80 minutes as this past Saturday in New Zealand was. Another bloody and bruised contest.
Last night I spoke to an exhausted Peter de Villiers at the Burswood Casino where they are staying and the Springboks are leaving nothing to chance in their preparation.
The two dangers in mental make up for the Springboks in advance of this Saturday’s match, are that, one, they underestimate this new do-or-die Wallaby brigade at their peril and two, they subconsciously look forward to returning home to South Africa on Sunday, before their next game at Newlands on August 16 against the All Blacks.
Have the Springboks had sufficient time to go through an optimal recovery programme? Physically and mentally? There must be no distractions to the task of beating the Wallabies on Saturday, even if only by a point.
Absolute, unconditional mental toughness and focus is required for a win against Australia at home on Saturday.
Only then can you decide what your ultimate rugby climax is.
The Springbok Team to play Saturday:
South Africa: Conrad Jantjes, JP Pietersen, Francois Steyn, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Ricky Januarie, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield (capt), Bakkies Botha, CJ van der Linde, Schalk Brits, Gurthro Steenkamp.
Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, Tendai Mtawarira, Brian Mujati, Andries Bekker, Ryan Kankowski, Ruan Pienaar, Peter Grant.
And if you want to experience a little of the passion and intensity of the Western Force and Wallaby supporters in Perth this week, take a look at http://twf.com.au/showthread.php?t=17740
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