The Springboks new centre pairing of Marius Joubert and Gcobani Bobo are hoping for a powerful performance against Argentina in the one-off rugby Test in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
The young midfield duo will play together for the first time at Test level, although they have partnered each other for SA under-23 and SA ”A” in the past.
Both men have an eye on a place in Rudolf Straeuli’s 30-man Rugby World Cup squad and a convincing display from the two 23-year-olds as a combination against the Pumas could go a long way towards cementing that dream.
”It doesn’t matter to me who I play with in the midfield. I’ve played there before with Bobo and we know each other pretty well. Hopefully we can gel on Saturday,” said Joubert on Wednesday.
”If we do well here we could be considered for the World Cup. The challenge of the Pumas is going to be tough, but we will not hold back,” promised Bobo.
Both players are noted for their strong defence and against the Argentinians it will be tested to the full.
”The pressure is there but defence is more about the system than the individual. It’s our job in the midfield to work as a combination to close down their attacks,” said Bobo, who hails from King William’s Town in the Eastern Cape.
The Springboks have not had a settled midfield combination for a number of years and if Straeuli’s men are to advance through the knock-out stages at the World Cup in Australia it is an area that needs urgent attention.
And the exciting duo could be just the answer for which the Springbok coach is looking.
”It’s important to have a settled midfield but I think at the moment we have a lot of good players who can play the position,” admitted Joubert.
”Whoever is going to be on my inside or whoever the centres are going to be, they must just make sure they know each other. Then they will begin to impose themselves,” said the 92kg Stormers player.
Bobo, South Africa’s first Rastafarian rugby player, agreed with Joubert.
”We’ve played together before and I’m looking forward to doing it in a Test. I’m confident we can produce the goods for SA but it won’t be easy,” said the former South African Schools captain.
Bobo will bring value to the team because of his ability to adapt to any situation, while Joubert’s thrusting pace and solid defence is a commodity the Boks cannot do without.
”I feel good and I’m happy with how my first game back, against Scotland, went,” said Joubert, ”but I’m trying to take it up another level.”
The Paarl Gymnasium old boy made his debut against New Zealand in Cape Town in 2001 but it was his performance in last year’s Super 12, and particularly in the Tri-Nations, that made him one of the most feared outside centres in world rugby.
”I would have liked to have had a Super 12 like I did last year but I don’t think it really makes a difference. I’m happy to be here and hopefully I can recapture that form,” he said.
Bobo has also shown he has world class attributes but the two centres will need to combine their natural flair and defensive qualities as a unit if South Africa is to hold the rampant Pumas at bay on Saturday. – Sapa