When the Springboks take to the field at Absa Stadium in East London on Saturday, there will be far more than just a convincing Test win over the underdog Uruguayans at stake.
South Africa, a team full of full-time professionals and sprinkled with world-class stars, are guaranteed to rout a team 11 places below them on the International Rugby Board world rankings and made up solely of amateurs.
The rugby public are demanding a try-fest and they are probably going to be able to gorge themselves during the 80 minutes, but even a resounding victory may not provide all the answers before the Boks take on the French.
A winning start to the 2005 international season for Jake White’s charges will no doubt boost the already high confidence in the squad, but areas of concern remain.
The South Americans may cause a few problems up front at first, but eventually the skills, power and cohesiveness of the Boks will swamp them.
Even with a number of first-choice players being rested or missing through injury, the Boks are likely to better the 72-6 result achieved at the 2003 World Cup. The only other occasion the two teams have met was at the 1999 World Cup in Wales, when the Boks ran out 39-3 victors.
Los Teros have lost many of the stalwarts who represented them in Australia, and with a young and inexperienced squad, their historic first tour to these shores could result in an embarrassing defeat.
None of their players can be considered household names in the rugby world — they arrived with a squad of virtual unknowns.
Even if the Boks manage a record score, the result may do little to expose any perceived weaknesses ahead of tougher assignments next weekend.
White’s first-choice XV is hardly settled and he may have to go into the first Test against France in Durban still undecided in a number of key positions.
And following the spate of injuries that has already rocked the squad, White and company will be praying no more of his stars fall foul in the 80 minutes on Saturday.
Jean de Villiers, a player who has dealt with his fair share of injuries, has switched back to the midfield after doing duty out on the wing for the Boks last season. He is adamant the Uruguayans will provide enough of a test for the Tri-Nations champions.
”It is easier for us to play Uruguay first, considering we have not played together since last year, but the emphasis will be to play to our structure and get that firmly in place,” he said.
”Confidence is high,” said De Villiers, ”because the continuity and backing of the coach has helped the guys believe in themselves.
”No one goes on the field to try to play badly. It will be nice to get out there again and see what we can do.”
De Villiers partners Marius Joubert in the midfield in what could yet become the preferred centre combination for the Boks this year.
”It’s important to use every opportunity and now that I’m in my preferred position [at inside centre], I’m looking forward to contributing.”
If the likes of De Villiers and company click on Saturday, the Boks could register their biggest win to date in Tests, but that will mean little when they line up against France — and a loss in that series could spell disaster for the Boks’ chances of retaining the Tri-Nations trophy.
Following the loss of lock Bakkies Botha and Gerrie Britz’s elevation to the starting line-up on Wednesday, Juan Smith was confirmed on the replacements bench on Thursday. — Sapa
Teams:
South Africa: 15 Percy Montgomery, 14 Tonderai Chavanga, 13 Marius Joubert, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 9 Enrico Januarie, 8 Jacques Cronje, 7 Danie Rossouw, 6 Solly Tyibilika, 5 Albert van den Berg, 4 Gerrie Britz, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Guthro Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Hanyani Shimange, 17 Os du Randt, 18 Juan Smith, 19 Joe van Niekerk, 20 Fourie du Preez, 21 Jacque Fourie, 22 Brent Russell.
Uruguay: 15 Agustin Perez del Castillo, 14 Ivo Dugonjic, 13 Joaquin Pastore, 12 Hilario Canessa, 11 Carlos Baldasarri, 10 Emiliano Caffera, 9 Juan Campomar (captain), 8 Ignacio Conti, 7 Rafael Alvarez, 6 Alfredo Guiria, 5 Carlos Protasi, 4 Juan Alzueta, 3 Guillermo Storace, 2 Juan Perez, 1 Diego Silveira.