Springboks v Wales - the decider
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Head says SA, heart says Wales
As @gibbon-rib wrote, essentially the 1st Test team with flotsam jettisoned.
And the better for it.
The referee (anyone???) will have a huge impact on how this match is played.
The scrum will be fascinating.
SA was really angling in last test. Will be interesting to see their tactics for this one.
I was mightily impressed with Wainwright. He could be the surprise to the Boks.
Our lineout throwing was atrocious last test, allowing the Boks to kick to touch knowing they had better than 50% chance of regaining possession.
We need to make them work for every metre.
I'd start with Anscombe and give him the opportunity to get our backs moving.
And I'd start with Watkin and Tompkins in the midfield. Hardy, Biggar, North to the bench.
Our bench is pretty handy too.
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@MiketheSnow Matthew Carley (ENG) is the ref for this one.
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@MiketheSnow said in Springboks v Wales - the decider:
Hardy, Biggar, North to the bench.
Sounds like a bodybuilder slogan!
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@gibbon-rib no worries about the scrum CT Stadium surface is sandy and not good for scrumming. This will be Etsebeth 100th and Bongi 50 test
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@OomPB said in Springboks v Wales - the decider:
@gibbon-rib no worries about the scrum CT Stadium surface is sandy and not good for scrumming. This will be Etsebeth 100th and Bongi 50 test
Sounds like we should just agree to make them uncontested for this game, eh?
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@OomPB
Couple of great milestones, that always adds to the occasion. I was surprised to read that Etzebeth is only 30, it feels like he's been around forever(You probably think the same thing about George North - made his debut on the 2010 tour to South Africa, also still only 30)
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@Machpants as much as I enjoy the boks pulverizing their opponents, is it too much to ask for them to also score more points than Wales this time?
In all seriousness, when they’ve got the ball beyond first centre and held onto it they’ve caused the Welsh real problems. Guess it must be more complicated than it seems from the safety of my couch.
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Yes, the weather so far looks set fair. It may be a bit breezy come kick-off time but no rain at least.
I do worry about the Cape Town surface as you mentioned. Not sure it is going to make power-scrumming a factor.And while this looks like a good Bok team, I am always cautious when we play Wales. The Welsh have a structure that seems to stifle the Boks. Has been that way for a good few years now. And added to that, Wales seem to convert almost every opportunity for points into... well... points. So while many are predicting a big Bok win, I am not. You can get good odds for a Wales victory - a mistake from the bookies imo and if I were a betting man, I'd consider a flutter on them well worth the gamble.
Hope I'm wrong and the Boks put it all together on the day but my prediction is for a tight finish to the series.
Which as an aside, is a hats-off moment to Wales. They have been great value on this tour and irrespective of the series outcome can be very proud of their efforts.
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@Billy-Webb said in Springboks v Wales - the decider:
Yes, the weather so far looks set fair. It may be a bit breezy come kick-off time but no rain at least.
I do worry about the Cape Town surface as you mentioned. Not sure it is going to make power-scrumming a factor.And while this looks like a good Bok team, I am always cautious when we play Wales. The Welsh have a structure that seems to stifle the Boks. Has been that way for a good few years now. And added to that, Wales seem to convert almost every opportunity for points into... well... points. So while many are predicting a big Bok win, I am not. You can get good odds for a Wales victory - a mistake from the bookies imo and if I were a betting man, I'd consider a flutter on them well worth the gamble.
Hope I'm wrong and the Boks put it all together on the day but my prediction is for a tight finish to the series.
Which as an aside, is a hats-off moment to Wales. They have been great value on this tour and irrespective of the series outcome can be very proud of their efforts.
Thanks mate
This is a 'will' v 'can' situation.
Will Wales win the 3rd Test?
I've got a tenner that says yes. But I'm not betting £20
Can Wales win the 3rd Test?
Absolutely
Despite a deck of cards and Tomos Williams handing back possession to the Boks at the death we were 1 kick away from at least drawing the 1st Test
We played like dog shit in the 2nd Test and won
We have a full complement to choose from and we can't possibly have a repeat of the lineout woes from the 2nd Test
Yes the SA 23 is the strongest fielded to date and should have the skill & experience to maximise home field advantage but we're playing at sea level and the Welsh team know they're on the cusp of something very, very big
It's going to be magic
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@MiketheSnow said in Springboks v Wales - the decider:
It's going to be magic
I certainly hope so since this will be my first Test attendance since you know..., the plague.
And I am joining you in putting some (a little) money on Wales. At 6.6 to 1 it is worth it. And will (very) slightly lessen my heartbreak if the Boks lose.
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@Billy-Webb said in Springboks v Wales - the decider:
@MiketheSnow said in Springboks v Wales - the decider:
It's going to be magic
I certainly hope so since this will be my first Test attendance since you know..., the plague.
And I am joining you in putting some (a little) money on Wales. At 6.6 to 1 it is worth it. And will (very) slightly lessen my heartbreak if the Boks lose.
Yep. Always bet on the opposition and then there will be a crumb of comfort if you lose. Pray for anything but a draw!
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@Catogrande said in Springboks v Wales - the decider:
Pray for anything but a draw!
Amen to that!
I'd rather (cough, splutter) Wales makes history than a tame drawn series. -
@Billy-Webb I am 100% with you. My biggest worry is our aerial game. Hendricks and Willemse is my worry.
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@OomPB said in Springboks v Wales - the decider:
@Billy-Webb I am 100% with you. My biggest worry is our aerial game. Hendricks and Willemse is my worry.
Agreed. Our fielding of the contestable high kicks from Wales was well below par last weekend.
But that was a different back 3, so maybe ok?
I rate Willemse as a player but he is not a sure thing under the high ball. For that matter, neither is Willie though. And I though Gelandt wasn't flash at that aspect last weekend either. So if I were Wales, I'd be hoisting a fair few bombs.Having said that, Mapimpi and Kolbe are pretty good in this regard. (And given Cheslin's size I am always in awe of his abilities here).
Why the concern about Hendrikse though? I thought he had a good game last week and that his box kicking was largely good?
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@Billy-Webb if we want to beat Wales we have to put phases together in THEIR half. He maybe wasn't bad last week but we know his kicking was bad all season for the Sharks. This box kick game plan is just to much for me. Maybe the Stormers attacking gameplan spoiled me.
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I get the sentiment Oom.
Reality is that Nienaber (and Rassie) like the box-kicking game plan. It is our go-to from static 2nd-phase positions.
What you and I can then hope for, is that we can keep / regain possession, recycle and create 3rd, 4th and more phase possession to open things up a bit. I rate the attacking talent from 10 to 15. It would be great if they get a few more chances. -
@Billy-Webb the silver lining to a loss maybe they have to change their plan.
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Hopefully our bench can see us home
