Slugso says:
Once again, a great atmosphere at The Cake Tin last night. The Bok fans are so colourful and noisy it was like a home game for them again (North Shore’s match will be!) ... but the Fijian fans an supporters were hugely visible too, just a shame their team didn’t really get to show their style more.I have to say last night’s games have really turned this World Cup on its head. Australia’s loss to Ireland (see Ferdy’s post) has kncked the wind out of the Wallabies’ sails and restored some pride to the Northern teams ... and means Australia will proably meet the Boks in a quarter-final.
So what of the Boks? Well, they may have fielded a slightly tweaked XV but they really announced their presence last night. The defence was huge ... bigger than a Fijian No. 8! They never let Fiji get quick ball or even any real line breaks ... first and maybe second tackles nailed them, and stopped any Fijian Sevens Rugby. The game was probably quite 50/50 in terms of the numbers, but South Africa were superbly clinical when they had the ball - they really converted their scoring opportunities.
They showed more determination to attack last night -was this the difference of having Frans Steyn at 12 maybe? Man, no disrespect to Morne Steyn (who to be fair got a try and hit thr line more last night than recently) ... but what could a Bok inside back combo of du Preez, Lambie, Frans Steyn & Fourie do? Would be awesome.
I think they have the players to really go all the way: JP Pietersen was a rock, Danie Rossouw a deserved MOTM, Hougaard is a game-changer ... it goes on. I see them as a huge favourite now, though Samoa could still be a banana skin. However, if Samoa were to beat Wales then the Boks may wheel out a 3rd XV on that game.
Bokke! Bokke! Bokke!
PS Can someone get Jacques Fourie onside ;-)
