World XV coach Nick Mallett has stressed the importance of braking down the Springboks’ potent lineout drive when the two teams meet on Saturday afternoon in Newlands.
Mallett has been able to form a potent and physically demanding side with players from across the best nations and he has placed special attention to the two No 5 locks that will pair up in the second row.
Alistair Hargreaves (former SA age-group captain, Bok and Sharks player) and Juandre Kruger, who used to run the Boks lineouts not so long ago, will be required to do the business and make the fixture a competitive match.
“There are some exciting players in the backline, but for the backline to do anything you have to win your lineout ball. I’m confident we will do well at the scrums, but with Victor Matfield back for the Springboks, we have to ensure we are competitive at the lineout,” said Mallett.
“The Boks have a powerful lineout drive, and we will need to contain them there. In general, the priority will be to stop them from going forward. Neither Juandre or Alistair is in the mould of a Bakkies Botha, but they both do get around the park in addition to the most important thing, which is their lineout proficiency.
“We want the bragging rights, and I am sure guys like Bakkies Botha and Bryan Habana (both of whom are Toulon teammates of Giteau) will not be holding anything back. It actually makes you more competitive when you play against your mates.”
World XV team: 15.James O’Connor, 14.Drew Mitchell, 13.Rene Ranger, 12.Wynand Olivier, 11.Hosea Gear, 10.Matthew Giteau (captain), 9.Rory Kockott, 8.Roger Wilson,7. Steffon Armitage, 6.Mamuka Gorgodze, 5.Alistair Hargreaves, 4.Juandre Kruger, 3.Carl Hayman, 2.Craig Burden, 1.Fakaanaua Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16.Andrew Hore, 17.Schalk Ferreira, 18.Pat Cilliers, 19.Iosefa Tekori, 20.Alexandre Lapandry, 21.Jimmy Cowan, 22.Francois Trinh-Duc, 23.Benson Stanley.
