Springboks vs World XV – who will prevail?

The “new-look” Springbok squad will play host to Nick Mallet’s World XV in Cape Town on Saturday, but can the world No 2 handle the star studded invitational side?

Arguably, this may be one of the most important matches of the year for the Springboks. It may sound like quite a statement given the colourful fixtures against the All Blacks and Australia later this year, but the World XV pose a different type of threat that could expose where the weaknesses lie in Heyneke Meyer’s men.

Despite what people may think, the World XV are no Barbarians, and Mallet has made that very clear throughout the week, saying that the team was not in South Africa for recreational purposes, as it’s going to be business as usual for the former Bok and Italy coach.

Wallabies Matt Giteau, James O’Connor and Drew Mitchell, and All Blacks Hosea Gear, Carl Hayman, Andrew Hore and Jimmy Cowan are just some of the impressive names that will feature in the match. All players of world-class quality, and more importantly, players that thrive on playing with each other, and bringing out the best attributes in one another.

Hosea Gear was excellent for the Barbarians against England last week.

With Mallet’s firm intentions to topple the Boks, and the undeniable fire-power in his arsenal for Saturday, the Boks must excersize serious caution to take their opponents lightly.

But do the Boks have enough firepower? It’s hard to tell. There’s definitely a mix of experience and youth in the side, but that combination has almost become cliché in South African rugby in recent years.

That’s not to say that’s not a winning-combination, it’s just that certain players are stretching their muscles in the wrong positions, such as JP Pietersen, who has had a rather underwhelming Super 15, being moved into outside centre, and Frans Steyn, starting to play well at 10 for the Sharks, being put back into the No 12 jersey. Steyn always plays well, regardless of where he is, but taking those X-factor players out of position, draws the creativity out of what could be an exciting backline combination.

That said, the inclusion of Cheetahs speedster Cornal Hendricks could be a great move on Meyer’s part. Hendricks has proven that he has what it takes to survive in the 15-man game since moving from sevens. His running and stepping ability can’t be questioned, and one of his greater abilities is chasing kicks – something South Africa wants to do, but never seems to.

While there’s a lot of talk around the Springbok’s veteran second-row, the Boks’ bench should be the deciding factor in the game. Schalk Brits, Coenie Oosthuizen, Schalk Burger and Johan Goosen are explosive players that need to be injected into the game with enough time to make an impact, regardless of the score.

Springboks – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Gurthrö Steenkamp, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Flip van der Merwe, 20 Schalk Burger, 21 Fourie du Preez, 22 Johan Goosen, 23 Lwazi Mvovo.

World XV (starting XV TBC)–  Backs: James O’Connor (London Irish, Australia – 44 Test caps), Drew Mitchell (Toulon, Australia – 63), Hosea Gear (Toulouse, New Zealand – 14), Sititiveni Sivivatu (Clermont, New Zealand – 45), Aurelien Rougerie (Clermont, France – 71), Rene Ranger (Montpelier, New Zealand – 6), Matt Giteau (Toulon, Australia – 92), François Trinh-Duc (Montpelier, France – 48), Rory Kockott (Castres, South Africa – uncapped) and Jimmy Cowan (Gloucester, New Zealand – 51).

Forwards: Steffon Armitage (Toulon, England – 5 Test caps), Alexandre Lapandry (Clermont, France – 6), Roger Wilson (Ulster, Ireland – 1), Mamuka Gorgodze (Montpellier, Georgia – 51), Alistair Hargreaves (Saracens, South Africa – 4), Joe Tekori (Toulouse, Samoa – 26), Juandré Kruger (Racing Metro, South Africa – 17), Schalk Brits (Saracens, South Africa – 5), Andrew Hore (New Zealand – 83), Schalk Ferreira (Toulouse, South Africa – uncapped), Sona Taumololo (Perpignan, Tonga – 5), BJ Botha (Munster, South Africa – 25) and Carl Hayman (Toulon, New Zealand – 45).