SPRINGBOX REACH SEMI FINALS

Fijians play with Pride

 

07.10.2007

South Africa 37, Fiji 20 in Paris (World Cup, Quarter-finals)

South Africa won by 17 points. I predicted Fiji by 3.

 

Reviews

http://worldcup.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,21043,13175_2786639,00.html

 

Previews

Fiji has performed super human feats to get to this stage. They will need to produce such feats again and more to overcome the South Africans. Unless they can hold the Springbox forwards, produce a number of typically Island outbreaks that produce 3 or 4 tries and have a huge dollop of luck, Fiji will exit the tournament today.

 

The South Africans are a totally different team to the outfit that bumbled its way through Europe last November. They are strong, quick and producing some excellent rugby. I expect them to head to a semi Final spot, but…anything can happen at World Cup time.

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=71826

http://worldcup.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,21043,13088_2781014,00.html

http://worldcup.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,21043,13088_2782019,00.html

 

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Fiji 5th, South Africa 7th

 

Previous Encounter

02.07.1996 South Africa 48-18 in Pretoria

Nothing to go by here. All form is to do with recent games.

 

Prediction: My head says South Africa, my heart tells me Fiji. Fiji by 3 points.

 

Teams

The Springbok team for Sunday is as follows (existing caps in brackets) and RWC Tests in italic

 

15 Percy Montgomery (91) - 9

14 JP Pietersen (12) - 4

13 Jaque Fourie (34) - 7

12 Francois Steyn (13) - 4

11 Bryan Habana (32) - 4

10 Butch James (23) - 3

9 Fourie du Preez (35) - 3

8 Danie Rossouw (28) - 7

7 Juan Smith (38) - 8

6 Schalk Burger (35) - 5

5 Victor Matfield (64) - 8

4 Bakkies Botha (41) - 9

3 CJ van der Linde (45) - 4

2 John Smit (71) (C) - 9

1 Os du Randt (77) - 13

 

RESERVES

 

16 Gary Botha (!2) - 1

17 Gurthro Steenkamp (12) - 1

18 Jannie du Plessis (2) - 0

19 Johann Muller (19) - 2

20 Wikus van Heerden (12) - 4

21 Ruan Pienaar (17) - 3

22 Wynand Olivier (19) – 2

23 Andre Pretorius (29) - 4

 

Other interesting facts and figures about the game:

 

· Once again, the team for Sunday will be the most experienced Springbok side ever chosen with a collective caps tally of 639 for the starting 15. The previous record was set in South Africa’s first pool match in this World Cup against Samoa (609 caps).

 

· It will be Jannie du Plessis’ first RWC appearance should he take the field from the bench, while Os du Randt will equal Joost van der Westhuizen’s record of 14 RWC appearances. Os is also the only current Springbok who played in the 1996 Test against Fiji.

 

· John Smit will lead the Springboks for the 46th time in Test matches.

 

· Percy Montgomery will no doubt improve his various scoring records. He is currently the top point scorer in RWC 2007 with 67 points.

 

· Two players need one try to become the most prolific try scorer in their respective positions - Os du Randt to become the only Springbok prop to score six tries in Tests and Schalk Burger to be the sole record holder for most tries as a flank.

 

· Bryan Habana, with six tournament tries, needs two tries to equal the RWC Tournament record set in 1999 by Jonah Lomu of New Zealand. The only other top try scorer who will be in action this weekend is Drew Mitchell from Australia (seven tries) who will be a substitute in their match against England.

 

· Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha will extend their record of most Tests as a lock pairing to 34 Tests.

 

· The Springboks’ best performance in a Quarter-Final match at RWC was in 1995 when Western Samoa was beaten by 42-14.

 

· Sunday’s referee is Alan Lewis of Ireland. He officiated as referee in five previous Tests involving the Springboks. South Africa won two of those Tests, lost 2 while one Test was drawn.

 

Thanks to http://www.sarugby.net/default.asp?des=article&id=231295

 

Fiji

15 Norman Ligairi, 14 Vilimoni Delasau, 13 Kameli Ratuvou, 12 Seru Rabeni, 11 Sireli Bobo, 10 Seremaia Bai, 9 Mosese Rauluni (captain), 8 Sisa Koyamaibole, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Semisi Naevo, 5 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 4 Kele Leawere, 3 Henry Qiodravu, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Graham Dewes.

Replacements: 16 Bill Gadolo, 17 Jone Railomo, 18 Aca Ratuva, 19 Wame Lewaravu, 20 Jone Daunivucu, 21 Waisea Luveniyali, 22 Gabiriele Lovobalavu.

Coach: Ilia Tabua

http://worldcup.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,21043,13088_2782019,00.html