JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – New Zealand will need calm heads in the Ellis Park cauldron on Saturday as they seek to topple world champions South Africa at one of the home side’s fortress venues and provide a boost for new coach Scott Robertson early in his tenure.
The All Blacks have made a mixed start to their Rugby Championship campaign, beaten 38-30 by Argentina in Wellington before dishing out a comprehensive 42-10 victory over the same opponents a week later in Auckland.
This will be a major step up against a buoyant Springboks side that has come off back-to-back bonus-point victories over Australia and are seeking a third win in a row against New Zealand.
Their previous meeting was the Rugby World Cup final in Paris last year, when South Africa edged the contest 12-11 to claim a record fourth global title.
“The last time we played against the Springboks, there were small margins in that game and we missed a couple of kicks,” Robertson told reporters on Thursday.
“That is a reflection of how tight these games are over history. At the back end (of the game) you are usually not far from each other.
“Discipline and set-piece penalties will be important. Give away an offside or a collapsed maul and momentum can change quickly. Those match-ups are important to keep pressure on the opponent.”
Robertson said the biggest considerations in selecting his side, which includes a start for flanker Sam Cane, were experience, combinations and a bench that can counter the Springboks’ vaunted ‘bomb squad’ of forwards in the second half.
The addition of Robertson’s compatriot Tony Brown as assistant coach has added an extra dimension to the way the Springboks attack.
“Their kicking game is exemplary, as is their ruck work,” added Robertson. “We have seen their game evolve, how they play and how they use their forwards.
“Add in some Tony Brown magic and they can play around you too. They also have the physicality that comes with any Springbok team.”
(Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
