Springbok rugby is set to be thrown into more turmoil on the eve of the crunch Tri-Nations Test against the All Blacks with a potentially divisive power struggle between SA Rugby vice-president Andre Markgraaff and Bok coach Jake White.
The Springbok management breathed a collective sigh of relief as veteran loosehead prop Os du Randt passed a fitness test and was included in the Bok starting line-up announced by coach Jake White on Wednesday for their Tri-Nations rugby match against the All Blacks at Newlands on Saturday.
World Cup-winning loosehead prop Os du Randt could miss the Springboks’ crunch Vodacom Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand this weekend after picking up a knock during a training session at Bishops College on Tuesday afternoon. Du Randt was struck down during a move early in the session on Tuesday.
Springbok coach Jake White admitted that his team played poorly against the Wallabies at Loftus Stadium on Saturday, but was nonetheless delighted with the 22-16 win. It was just the start the defending champions sought to their Vodacom Tri-Nations defence, but far greater obstacles await them in Cape Town next weekend.
The Springboks had to dig deep before they recorded yet another Vodacom Tri-Nations victory over the touring Wallabies, 22-16, at a packed Loftus Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon. Australia led 13-6 at half-time. The result was in the balance right until the last minute, when Andre Pretorius slotted a drop goal to seal the win.
If events during the week’s build-up to the opening Vodacom Tri-Nations clash between South Africa and Australia are a determining factor, then the Springboks are clear favourites to get their campaign off to a winning start. But little can be made of the varying factors in the days preceding a Test match between these two fierce rivals.
Springbok coach Jake White made three changes and one positional switch in the starting line-up for the opening Vodacom Tri-Nations clash against Australia at Loftus on Saturday afternoon. The revamped outfit that beat the Wallabies 33-20 at Ellis Park last weekend have largely been retained — just reward for their sterling efforts.
Blue Bulls scrumhalf Fourie du Preez is expected to be the only change to the Springbok backline for Saturday’s opening Vodacom Tri-Nations Test against the Wallabies at Loftus on Saturday. With a punishing schedule in the coming weeks, coach Jake White is looking to rest certain players in key positions.
The Springboks produced a dazzling display of all-round rugby at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon as they thumped Australia 33-20 to retain the Mandela Challenge Plate. Following the ignominy of losing 30-12 to Australia two weeks ago, the Boks returned the compliment with a committed team effort.
As expected, Springbok coach Jake White has named six players of colour in his starting line-up for Saturday’s crunch Mandela Challenge Test against the Wallabies at Ellis Park. He also named three more on the bench to bring the total number to nine in the match 22 — a record for the Boks in Tests.