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SUPER POWERS DO BATTLE |
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TO A GREAT EXTENT THE UPCOMING HOME SERIES THIS MONTH AGAINST NEW ZEALAND SEES THE KIWIS PUSHED BACK INTO THE SAME POSITION AS THEIR 1949 PREDECESSORS. To a great extent the upcoming home series this month against New Zealand sees the Kiwis pushed back into the same position as their 1949 predecessors. There is an account to settle. For the New Zealanders the Rugby Crown of the world is at stake! History shows that the 1949 All Blacks, captained by Fred Allen, were humiliated 4-0 in the Test Series on South African soil. Big names like Danie Craven, Hennie Greyhound Muller and Okey The Boot Geffen saw the Springboks emerge victorious. Today s squad of South Africa s best has its own legends in the making and instead it will be the turn of Joost van der Westhuizen, Andre Joubert and James Small to ensure that the Crown remains firmly on the head of the Springboks. Without taking anything away from the team that reigns supreme in the Sanzar Tri-Nations series, the real business is only set to begin once New Zealand start their first complete official tour to South Africa since 1976. New Zealand, their once off win in 1992 apart, have never won a Test Series in South Africa, so their task of emerging victorious will be even more onerous. At first glance, their mission takes on a rosy complexion. In coach John Hart, they have a professional tactician who ranks as one of the most astute brains in world rugby. The driving force behind Auckland rugby, he boasts a proven track record for the Auckland Blues and witnessed their Super 12 triumph. Hart investigated the route and playing conditions the All Blacks will follow some months back and he has insisted on a touring party numbering 36 players. With their arduous schedule the New Zealanders have left nothing to chance. By comparison South Africa s new coach, Andre Markgraaff, is relatively untested tactically. If nothing else this Series will reveal whether or not Markgraaff is able to live with the best tacticians in world rugby. The immediate problems facing the new coach will be to assemble a team and define a pattern capable of stopping New Zealand s best. The Kiwis, boasting a blend of experience and youthful expressiveness, the likes of which is rarely seen, are presently awesome. From their powerful front row of Brown, captain Fitzpatrick and Dowd to their Ian Jones, Robin Brooke combination at lock, they reveal a tight five of powerful players and a combination of skill seldom seen. The loose trio of Michael Jones, Josh Kronfeldt and Zinzan Brooke play with real speed and familiarity of which the Boks can only dream. At flyhalf, Andrew Mehrtens, who took only 12 tests to pass 200 points, is fast becoming the best flyhalf in world rugby. His pace, skill, eye for the gap and boot give him an armoury that smacks of invincibility. Throw in the wily old heads of Frank Bunce and Walter Little with the raw genius of fullback Christian Cullen and you have a team clearly from Dimension X. Now all that remains is to add kingpin Jonah Lomu to the mix and get the picture of Markgraaff s coaching staff with plenty to scratch their heads about. The 1996 version of Lomu has emerged as a player that has added to his previous repertoire. Now used as battering ram from loose rucks and mauls, he plays the role of extra loose forward with verve. Popping up on either wing is par for the course, so type casting is out of the question. But all is not lost just yet. South Africa have won the Crown so desired by the All Blacks and they will not be giving it up easily. Homeground advantage and familiarity of local conditions is never to be underestimated. Kiwi coach John Hart has also gone on record rating South African forwards as probably the best in the world at present . Psychological warfare or fact? Time will tell. Forwards lay the foundation for victory and to that end South Africa will not be found wanting. The lineouts are a source of possession to count, as Mark Andrews proved against the Auckland Blues in the Super 12 final. Ruben Kruger ranks as one of the best flanks in world rugby and the front row can mete out their own style of subdue and penetrate to stop the best in their tracks. Van der Westhuizen and Joubert along with their fellow backs combine a running flair and defense that has already seen them beat the best in the world with something to spare. The real challenge that emerges is to overcome the seeds of self-doubt, after all South Africa are proven World Champions. Our runs are on the board - New Zealand still have to get them! The History Ñ 1996 marks the 75th Anniversary of South Africa vs New Zealand matches Ñ South Africa s first ever clash with New Zealand took place in 1921 at Dunedin. Ñ The first two series between the two countries (1921 and 1928) were drawn. Ñ In 1928 New Zealand rated Bennie Osler as the greatest South African inside back of all time. Ñ New Zealand critics regarded the 1937 South African team as the best they ever saw. The Springboks won the away series 2-1. Ñ The 1937 team saw names like Gerry Brand and Danie Craven emerge as rugby legends. Ñ 1949 proved to be the ultimate Kiwi humiliation with South Africa winning the home series 4-0. Hennie Muller and Okey Geffen were added to the growing list of Springbok legends. Ñ 1956 saw New Zealand gain some revenge with a 3-1 series victory at home. Ñ The tours that followed in 1960, 65, 70 and 76 saw the home nations running out victors. JONATHAN SENDZUL |
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