Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Springboks V British and Irish Lions - Test Series Preview

The Springboks take on the British and Irish Lions in an eagerly awaited 3 test series begins in Durban on this Saturday 20 June. Since 1997, the Boks have been waiting for their chance to avenge himself on the Lions to a humiliating 2-1 series loss.

There are many things that make '97-series like these. Both were taken at a time when the world champion Boks were. Both teams were coached by McGeechan Lions, and both have the series so much SpringboksFavorites.

This time around, I think, from a very different picture. At the moment South Africa has so many talented players to choose from, a lot of experience and plenty of game breakers. Last Time Around South Africa had a new coach (Carel du Plessis) and a captain, that was totally inexperienced at international level, Gary Teichmann. This time around the Boks have a solid team that could coach and have been concentrating on this series for a long time. The Lions, well they always have astrong team in a position to move to 4 nations, but on paper, they simply can not keep up with the class of South Africans.

The first game sets the tone for the series, and since the Springboks last time out, losing the first game and the pressure intensifies as something you have never experienced. The downside for the Boks, is the lack of playing time for most of their players, but it also has advantages as well rested and fresh. The large number of Bulls players should deny thatand confidence will rub off, bring on the rest of the team.

The Lions under McGeechan, will again rely on the Boks having to physically at the front. They will come look for set-piece dominance and precise goal. In Stephen Jones and Ronan O'Gara try sharper than the shooters Boks, but not so much scoring ability in the width. There are still some dangerous backs, but they do not have the class across the backline, or experience in dealing with them against the top-classOpposition.

The Lions must win to go hard from the first game in Durban, since the series then moves to Highlands for the remaining 2 test matches. They fight to win 1, let alone 2 in height so that they have to go up 1-0 in Durban to have any chance in the series. The element of surprise is their best hope.

I'm picking the Springboks to 3:0-Sieg. The Boks should be too forward. The crowd will not dominate, but she put her own way enough. The lineout with Matfield andBotha is much better than the Lions and then around the field the Boks are faster and stronger ball carriers. While Pienaar has its critics, and many believe that he did not, I'm picking him really shine in this series. In my opinion he is a great flyhalf and has all the skills. He has done a lot of really working on his kicking, and that is helping the Boks.

The rest of the Springbok backline is set too good for the Lions, with Havana, to a blind turn to have one. He is a man of greatOpportunity, and he will prove that again. The one area that concerns me is defense, but I'm sure Mr. Steyn will be solid if not spectacular. That is enough.

I can not wait for kickoff on Saturday, I'm sure it will be mean to a lot of physical things and a lot of fireworks. But at the end of all, the Boks will be victorious by about 15 points ...

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