RWC: Wales v South Africa (SF2)
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Since there doesn't appear to be a separate thread for this game, I thought I'd start one. Even if @MiketheSnow and I will constitute a posting majority on here that would be the envy of most parliaments world-wide these days.
So let me kick it off with some of SA's challenges for this weekend:
GARCES - the man-with-no-love-for-the-Bokke who will control (or not) affairs on the day...
To date, Garces has only reffed one game involving Wales and SA. Wales won. No biggie on it's own.
But factor in that stretching back to 2013 the Boks have won only 4 of 14 games (29%) where the French Mr Bean had the whistle and you can understand that Bok fans are not thrilled. Add in the fact that Garces was the conductor at both the Miracle in Brighton and again when SA lost to Italy for the first time ever in their history and it is not hard to understand why us biltong lovers are reaching for our tin-foil hats.Could be that we were just shite on the day.... but let's not let that inconvenient fact get in the way of a good story.
If we lose on Sunday Garces is bound to be part of the
moaningconversation.It couldn't possibly be our game plan or skills that weren't up to scratch..
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Whilst on paper - and it depends on which paper your read
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Since the loss to SA at the QF stage of the last WC (SA 23 - 19 Wales), Wales has won 4 in a row in tight, keenly contest struggles.
Josh Navidi has been ruled out for Wales, but we have a strong, well balanced back-row which can compete with SA.
But without Jonathan Davies at outside centre I don't fancy our chances of unlocking the SA midfield. This was evident in the France QF.
So fingers crossed he's passed fit.
If not, then it'll be a repeat of 2015
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@MiketheSnow pressure on the day and the teams’ playing style says you’re right this will be tight.
I’m backing the boks to be too strong, edging a tight contest by two scores.
But, if the Welsh can shore up their midfield defence (either by getting Foxy back in the park or through Edwards blackmagicfuckery) and enough decent ball to unleash Adams and North then they have the capacity to cause trouble.
On the other hand Darren, I live in hope that Pollard rediscovers his love for taking on the line, playing fast and flat, that Le Roux remembers how to catch and pass and that the boks find a way to get The bloody ball to Kolbe. Add all that to what the boks are already doing well and it will be a long day at the office for the Welsh, especially if Pollard finally laces up his kicking boots and not the godawful shankers he’s been playing in all tournament.
Also, this:
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From BBC Scrum V twitter -
Is that a new centre for Wales?
No no, Bryn Gatland has been training with the team this morning!
It must be 'bring your child to work day'. -
@Smuts said in RWC: Wales v South Africa (SF2):
I’m backing the boks to be too strong, edging a tight contest by two scores.
That's the spirit! I am dispensing with my usual glass-is-half-empty pre-game personal expectation management approach and predicting a good Bok win after an initial tight first 60 minutes.
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Let's see how well that works out for me. -
@Billy-Webb said in RWC: Wales v South Africa (SF2):
@Smuts said in RWC: Wales v South Africa (SF2):
I’m backing the boks to be too strong, edging a tight contest by two scores.
That's the spirit! I am dispensing with my usual glass-is-half-empty pre-game personal expectation management approach and predicting a good Bok win after an initial tight first 60 minutes.
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Let's see how well that works out for me.Reckon you'll be 100% correct.
You'll see 2nd half QF Boks from kick off this week. No trying to imitate Japan this week. Will win by a hard fought 15 points.
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@Billy-Webb I may have just jinxed you ... I'm terrible at predictions
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Could be gaming, but Kolbe an injury worry.
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Welsh training camp today
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this game will be fucking interesting from a tactical point of view. I think Wales will be happy to take the Boks on in a game of set piece and grunt. And then back themselves to have a moment or two of attacking magic.
Both teams are well coached, and well led, so getting to the front with 10 to go is the key.
It's not going to be pretty, but it's going to be bloody good to watch.
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@mariner4life said in RWC: Wales v South Africa (SF2):
then back themselves to have a moment or two of attacking magic.
I think the Boks defence will win it
Faf to cause havoc shooting out ahead of the line
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@Duluth said in RWC: Wales v South Africa (SF2):
@mariner4life said in RWC: Wales v South Africa (SF2):
then back themselves to have a moment or two of attacking magic.
I think the Boks defence will win it
Faf to cause havoc shooting out ahead of the line
that's an interesting alignment they have created. Having him defend wide, and using his quick feet to shoot up and make spot tackles. He's a really good defender for a halfback too.
If they tackle with the accuracy and the power that they did on Sunday then Wales are really going to struggle to break them down. The difference will come if Wales can win a couple of collisions in a row, and not allow that defensive line to just reset and reset.
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@mariner4life said in RWC: Wales v South Africa (SF2):
@Duluth said in RWC: Wales v South Africa (SF2):
@mariner4life said in RWC: Wales v South Africa (SF2):
then back themselves to have a moment or two of attacking magic.
I think the Boks defence will win it
Faf to cause havoc shooting out ahead of the line
that's an interesting alignment they have created. Having him defend wide, and using his quick feet to shoot up and make spot tackles. He's a really good defender for a halfback too.
If they tackle with the accuracy and the power that they did on Sunday then Wales are really going to struggle to break them down. The difference will come if Wales can win a couple of collisions in a row, and not allow that defensive line to just reset and reset.
SA defense was brutal against the Japanese. Their tactic of battering them into submission was a good one.
But the Welsh are a much better match physically, they won't take a step back and will dish out plenty themselves.
Going to be an epic match for the hits alone I reckon.
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@mariner4life said in RWC: Wales v South Africa (SF2):
that's an interesting alignment they have created. Having him defend wide, and using his quick feet to shoot up and make spot tackles. He's a really good defender for a halfback too.
I love watching it when its not against NZ.
They keep a tight line behind him too. So there's no space directly behind when he shoots. There's space wide if your skills are good enough
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@antipodean said in RWC: Wales v South Africa (SF2):
Zulu and Zulu Dawn are real classics.
Many decades ago, I did my matric thesis on the Battle of Isandlwana - why the British lost so heavily - so this is a topic close to my heart. The follow up, Battle of Rorkes Drift resulted in 11 Victoria Crosses mainly to the Welsh 2nd/24th Foot Regiment.I am hoping there is no repeat of such bravery this Sunday!
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Another interesting factoid for those of you who have nothing better to do with your time...
The movie clip reminded me about the fact that the Springboks used to have a "haka" they would perform before test matches. It was a Zulu war dance called the Idlamu (or sometimes spelled Indlamu). It was largely reserved for when we played the All Blacks.
In the 1950's, in a spat with NZ about players of colour, the National Party government and SA Rugby pulled it. This ideologically suited the Nat Government who didn't like the fact that a Zulu dance was being used in the first place. It hasn't featured again since.
A great shame.
If you have 15 minutes to waste, this is a great video to watch:
