Springboks vs. All Blacks Preview: Second Tri Nations Test

It is a two-test series between the two best sides in the world.  On one side, we have the Lions-conquerors and World Champions, South Africa.  On the other, we have the defending Tri Nations champions and the IRB's No. 1-ranked side, New Zealand.

By early August, we shall know which team is the best in the world.

With no disrespect to the Wallabies, the Springbok and All Black rivalry is the traditional heavyweight clash in world rugby, and it will be no different in the first test.

The Springboks will enter the series buoyed by their success over the resurgent British and Irish Lions, and know that in roughly the last 12 months, they have beaten the All Blacks, Wallabies and clean swept the Northern Hemisphere to be there or thereabouts.

But despite the Lions success, they know that they came third in last year’s Tri Nations and despite thumping England in the autumn internationals four matches ago, they very nearly lost to Scotland on the same tour.

While their forward pack and scrum half seem to pick themselves, the backline is still not what Coach Peter De Villiers could convincingly call first choice.

World Cup winning centre Jacque Fourie will start with Jean De Villiers, a convincing midfield combination. Ruan Pienner will play at No. 10 ahead of Morné Steyn, and it is a strong enough side one feels to repel the All Blacks challenge.

But as New Zealand showed against the Wallabies, they are very far from a bad team.

In fact, the 120 plus tests of Richie McCaw and Rodney So’oialo buttress a good and experienced unit on paper, with 10 players boasting 30 or more test matches. 

Their victory over the Wallabies showed that when it counts, they can lift to squeeze just enough to guarantee themselves victory. The Wallabies had established a good enough four game run into the Tri Nations that showed form, and with the exception of Rocky Elsom, they were full strength.

They now wait while the All Blacks and Springboks bludgeon each other in a two-match feast that has been largely overlooked by the hype of the Lions, France’s tour, Super 14, and other competitions that arguably constitutes the busiest period of the rugby year, with so many domestic tournaments beginning in the next two months.

Officially, the Springboks are recognised as favourites coming into the match, rated as the team most likely to hoist the Tri Nations title, although New Zealand betting agencies narrowed the All Blacks odds after their opening match at Eden Park.

For this Bloemfontein test, the All Blacks are rated $2.60 outsiders at the NZ TAB to beat the world champion Springboks. The hosts' $1.45 odds are arguably the lowest odds an opposition team has paid against the All Blacks in modern history.

World Cup winning captain John Smit doesn’t particularly agree with these assessments.

"Favourites is a matter of opinion. If you look at the facts, New Zealand are still ranked No. 1 in the world. They've lost one game this year and we've lost one game," Smit said.

"It would be foolish of me to think we're going in as favourites. It would be wonderful if we are but I think it would be an easy trip to fall into."

The All Blacks have won a remarkable 24 of 33 tests against the South Africans since 1996, a statistic not lost on Smit or the Springboks.

"They've been the best team in the world for quite some time and they're a tough opponent. History is only created by how hard they've worked for that,” Smit said.

For South Africa, their advantages lie in having had four weeks off since the last Lions test, and the comfort of being not only fresh, but at home. They are also at full strength.

Still, it may not be a full house for the blockbuster, with reports that nearly 15,000 tickets were unsold over 24 hours out from the kick off.

For New Zealand, defending Tri Nations champions, they will look to build on a workman-like victory over Australia last week, and will take comfort that they have the bulk of their stalwarts available to them, with Dan Carter making his return to club rugby this weekend.

Only Ali Williams and Richard Kahui would be considered long-term unavailable.

The All Blacks will look to impose their outstanding recent record as well as their second half blitzkrieg on South Africa, a facet where the All Blacks have become the best rugby finishers in world rugby in the second 40 minutes.

Their win over the Wallabies last week was the third test in a row against Australia where they had won after trailing at half time.

It will be close, but a Richie McCaw led All Blacks has something gritty about them, and the Lions tour showed that this is far from a complete World Champion side.

Teams for the second 2009 Tri Nations test between the All Blacks and Springboks at Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein

South Africa: Francois Steyn, JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Ruan Pieenar, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Heinrich Brussow, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, John Smit (captain), Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira. Reserves: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Jannie du Plessis, Danie Rossouw, Ryan Kankowski, Ricky Januarie, Morne Steyn, Wynand Olivier

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Owen Franks, Jason Eaton, Kieran Read, Piri Weepu, Luke McAlister, Cory Jane

Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

All Blacks recent second half record

LAST 15 TESTS

Average first half score: 14-9

Average second half score: 17-5

LAST FIVE SPRINGBOKS TESTS

Average first half score: 8-8

Average second half score: 17-5

HEAD TO HEAD RECORDS:

ALL TESTS IN SOUTH AFRICA:

Played 39. Won 17, lost 21, drawn 1

Highveld: P 19, W 8, L 10, D 1

Sea level: P 20. W 9 L 11

PROFESSIONAL ERA (since 1995):

Played 17. W on 10, lost 7

Highveld: P 9. W 4, L 5. 44 percent

Sea level: P 8. W 6, L 2. 75 percent