Wallabies bet on youth ahead of match against Springboks in Perth

Several young players from the Stormers team made a strong impression on rugby director John Dobson during the pre-season friendly match for the United Rugby Championship (URC). The game took place in Paarl against the Bulls on Friday.

Although the Stormers team lost to their opponents with a score of 38:26 at the Faure Street Stadium in Winelands, the final result should not cause serious problems for the Cape Town side.

Both teams had outstanding scrums in attack, and the Stormers frequently forced the Bulls backward, earning several penalties during this phase of the game. This advantage continued into the second half, as the Pretoria squad could not counter the powerful scrums.

Both teams successfully utilized rolling mauls, but the visitors dominated in this aspect, scoring several points thanks to their strong forwards. The Stormers were also able to earn a penalty try through a strong effort in the second half.

However, errors after the break, such as a charged kick from substitute flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed and some confusion in the midfield that left a huge gap in defense, led to two tries that changed the course of the game in favor of the Bulls.

Experience exchange and player performances

A good early burst from experienced players, including captain Marcell Coetzee, number eight Jandré Rudolph, teammate Hanro Liebenberg, and fullback Willie le Roux, helped the visitors gain a 17:12 lead at halftime. Other notable performers for the Bulls included winger Sébastien de Clercq, who looked sharp in attack after a long injury layoff, scrumhalf Paul de Wet, and inside centre Stravino Jacobs.

Bulls coach Johan Ackermann stated after the match: "I just told Dobson that it was perfect in terms of what we wanted to see from the players." He added: "There were mistakes that we know we need to fix, but a big plus is the lack of injuries. Willie had a slight hamstring tightness, but otherwise, we went through the game unscathed. There were good moments, and we are pleased with that."

For the Stormers, speedy runner Roland Leighton Davids scored almost on the first touch, outpacing Bulls winger Taakir Abraham with his explosive speed to run down the sideline and score. Although Abraham is not weak himself, the manner in which Davids overtook him showed that he has something special.

Young fullback Dylan Miller scored two tries and looked reliable after active participation in the Stormers XXIII Currie Cup campaign. Newcomers to the squad, forwards Ollie Reid (prop), and loose forwards Louw Nel and Xola Nyali, also played well alongside number eight Hajiva Daimani.

Dobson noted after the game: "Listen, I am honestly very happy." He continued: "I thought, considering the number of guys we selectively brought into this game, 17 out of 31 players had never played in the URC before, so playing against this Bulls team was good. I am very excited about Leighton's performance. He was better than I expected. I think there is something truly special in him."

This match served as good preparation for both teams before the start of the URC at the end of September. Both coaches were able to conduct experiments and assess the players' readiness for the upcoming challenges. A positive aspect of the day in Paarl was the absence of injuries before the new season.

Match results

Final score: Stormers 26 (12) : Bulls 38 (17). Tries scored by halves: Dylan Miller (2), Leighton Davids, penalty try. Conversions: Yuri Matty (2). Bulls scored: Jandré Rudolph, Hanro Liebenberg, Taakir Abraham, Vian Mentour, J.J. Teron, Sébastien de Clercq. Conversions: Ruben Groenewald, Mentour (3).

The Springboks team plans to rely on their experience playing on neutral arenas in the upcoming test match against the All Blacks in Baltimore, USA. This match adds a new chapter to the history of encounters between the two greatest rivals on neutral territory.

Preliminary indications in Baltimore suggest that Springboks fans are likely to outnumber their New Zealand opponents on Saturday, as the Boks aim to win the series. Nevertheless, the M&T Bank Stadium will be significantly different from the atmosphere the team experienced in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

For coach Rassie Erasmus and his players, this means a need for a change in mentality. The Springboks coach stated that his team has already begun preparing for the conditions of playing against the All Blacks on neutral ground, similar to how they did during the 2023 World Cup final in Paris.

The Springboks have gained status as an experienced team regarding unusual conditions for rugby play. During the British & Irish Lions tour amid the COVID-19 pandemic, they played with almost no spectators. Furthermore, in 2021, they met the All Blacks in Townsville, Australia, as part of the centennial meeting of the two main rivals, and later played them again in Gold Coast as part of that year's Rugby World Cup.

Rassie Erasmus announced the Springbok XV squad for the confrontation with the All Blacks at M&T Bank Stadium this Saturday, September 12th. The starting lineup includes Morné van den Berg at position 9 alongside Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Siya Kolisi will lead the team.

Previously, the Springboks played in Twickenham, where they held a friendly match against the All Blacks and secured a convincing 35-7 victory, aided by the presence of many South African expats. Baltimore may offer another variation on this theme.

However, Erasmus insists that once the whistle blows, the surroundings become less significant. He noted: 'A neutral ground is still 70 meters out of 100 meters.' He added that while a good crowd is expected, they will miss strong home support in the first three matches, and the All Blacks will also feel the absence of their home support.

The coach emphasized that they have played against the All Blacks multiple times on neutral fields—in World Cups, in Twickenham, in group stage matches, semi-finals, and finals of the World Cups. In his opinion, 'it will be a hellishly tense match.'

Erasmus believes that the Boks can utilize their past experience, especially those unusual and sometimes worrying matches that took place during the pandemic. He recalled their participation in the British & Irish Lions tour in South Africa without spectators when trailing 1-0. He also mentioned matches during the COVID Rugby World Cup in Australia when there were hardly any South Africans because they could not leave the country. The team tries to remind themselves of these moments often.

He concluded that despite the lack of people, and the New Zealanders being in a similar situation, they had this experience many times against New Zealand, and sometimes ended up on the losing side. However, according to him, their motivation never depends on anything else. 'We saw last week how South Africa supports us. After the first defeat, some people spoke out against us, but most maintained a positive attitude and supported. We remember these people, and we will play for them.'

The Springboks team defeated the All Blacks with a score of 29–24 on Saturday at FNB Stadium in Soweto, securing a triumph in the greatest rugby rivalry. Despite a slow start, the world champions managed to increase the pace thanks to their physical strength and dominance during the scrum play. The team's attack was energized by the entry of Mani Leibobok after Cheslin Kolbe's early injury.

This match became a brilliant first victory over New Zealand at this arena and allowed South Africa to take the lead in the series with a score of 2–1. IOL Sport assessed the performance of the winning Springboks team.

The Greatest Rugby Rivalry

Kurt-Lee Arendse (7/10) stood out in the starting fifteen-meter line-up, looking dangerous every time he received the ball in attack, successfully overcoming the defense in several instances and scoring a good touchdown. Jesse Kriel (6) made a couple of noticeable missed tackles that harmed the Boks, and also made a passing error without a defender in front of him, but partially compensated for this with a good solo touchdown.

Damian de Allende (7) set up Arendse's touchdown, demonstrating a brilliant hip maneuver to bypass his opponent, and showed himself as a powerful player in defense. Winger Ethan Hooker (8.5) delivered another outstanding performance, covering almost every meter of the field; his youthful play was characterized by excellent bursts and strong defense.

Sasha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (6) converted several excellent kicks at the posts, including a difficult penalty in variable wind conditions, although he could not fully assert his influence in attack, but played well in defense. Kobus Reinah (5) did not have his best day at the scrum and in the ball contest for the Boks, making several errors that could have changed the course of the game, and his kicks did not yield the desired results.

Jasper Wiese (7) was a player the Boks relied on for forward momentum, even when stationary. He made several heavy breakthroughs and controlled the ball well, leading to a penalty touchdown at the scrum. Pieter-Steph du Toit (7), clearly upset after an early tackle, demonstrated incredible aggression in contact since then, ignoring his own condition or opponents.

Siyabonga Kolisi (7), despite an injury in the first half, continued to play, showing immense strength in breaks and defense. Ruan Nortje (5.5) was reliable in the lineouts, but less noticeable in breaks and defensive actions; he needs to add more physical strength in matches. Eben Etzebeth (5.5) did not show sufficient effectiveness in terms of physical struggle, especially tackling, being knocked down by an All Blacks defender, but remained strong when possessing the ball.

Wilko Louw (7.5) proved to be a force to be reckoned with at the scrums, winning the first penalty for the Boks, after which the team began to dominate the play. He also made several decisive tackles. Malcolm Marx (8) made a major turnover in the second half in the ball contest, allowing for an attacking lineout, and was reliable in lineout throws, which contributed to good rolling mauls from which he scored one.

Ox Nche (7.5) transformed from the left flanker position, preventing Louw from completely dominating the attack, and completely suppressed the All Blacks scrum.

Substitutions

Deon Fourie (6) immediately impacted the ball contest, slowing down the guests' game, and was also strong in defense. Gerhard Steenkamp (6) came onto the field and added more impetus to the front line. Thomas du Toit (6) won several good penalties in the second half and supported the scrum dominance along with other substitutes. Lud de Jager (5) brought necessary physical strength while the Boks were finishing the game.

Andre Esterhuizen (6) broke through two defenders as a hybrid player. Cameron Hanekom (7) brought real physical power with his bursts and tackles, helping the team maintain the tempo. Morne van den Berg (7.5) made a small error in the lineout, but his speed, tenacity in tackling, and attacking instinct played a significant role. Mani Leibbok (8) changed the course of the game by coming on as a playmaker; he gave the team pace and executed an extraordinary pass that allowed the team to remain constantly on the attack.