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Boks v Lions head-to-head

July 03 2009

With 18 of last week's starting 30 changed, we've got plenty of new clashes all over the field to talk about on this week's head-to-head.

Planet Rugby's Danny Stephens and Dave Morris got together over some vitamin-C enriched smoothies and high-fibre low-GI sandwiches to cast their eyes over the weekend's teams...

Zane Kirchner v Rob Kearney

DM: The Lions full-back had a magnificent game in attack as well as defence in Pretoria, scoring a world-class try and was prominent with the boot. Why Kearney wasn't named man of the match, I'll never know. Up against debutant Kirchner - who will surely be peppered with high balls - the Irishman can expect an entirely different challenge. Kirchner is a strong runner, has safe hands, reliable boot and is solid on defence. The only question is this: can Kirchner bring his superb Super 14 form to the Test arena? I think he can.

DS: What we saw last week was the Rob Kearney of old and there's no reason to think he won't do the same this week. I reckon Kirchner will be the real deal in a year's time, but for now he might have to sit back and absorb a lesson.

Verdict: tied

Odwa Ndungane v Shane Williams

DM: Sound under the high ball, Ndungane always lends an air of dependability be it on defence or attack. Both players are hugely dependent on the opportunities others create for them, but one impressive thing about Wales' all-time leading try-scorer is that his performance has been sustained over a number of years. The Welsh Wizard hasn't fired on this tour, but I'm expecting fireworks this weekend.

DS: Williams has his last chance in a Lions jersey to prove that he can raise his game, surely this time he can take it? Ndungane is simply a squad player getting a run for the sake of it. A decent finisher, but little else.

Verdict: Williams

Jaque Fourie v Tommy Bowe

DM: Bowe had very little to do over the 80 minutes at Loftus Versfeld, but had his hands full marking Bryan Habana. Against Fourie, Bowe will need to be on top of his game in an unfamiliar position that I feel Geech is taken a rather risky gamble on. Gordon D'Arcy, Keith Earls anyone? I rate Fourie very highly, and reckon this Bok partnership should have been the one that started the series two weeks ago. Class is irreplaceable, and Fourie's try to shift the momentum of the second Test was pure class.

DS: Bowe has played a number of times at centre for the Ospreys and has not ben found wanting in any way. But Fourie is a top-notch act who I also believe should have started the last two Tests. His direct running should combine well with Olivier and give Bowe a torrid time.

Verdict: Fourie

Wynand Olivier v Riki Flutey

DM: Olivier excelled in the Super 14 for the Bulls, however it's been one and a half long years in the Test wilderness. Flutey has mighty big boots to fill in Jamie Roberts absence, a position I feel that hasn't been taken with both hands on this tour by the Kiwi. Olivier's combination with the halfback pair of Fourie du Preez and Morne Steyn was central to the Bulls' success in the Super 14. The triumvirate now have an opportunity to replicate that form on the Test stage.

DS: Flutey has barely shone for England, never mind the Lions and there exists a string suspicion he was selected as a part of the Wasps old school rather than on form. Olivier has been out of action in green for a while but was hitting top form at the end of the Super 14. As long as he's kept it during his rest time, he'll be grand.

Verdict: Olivier

Jongi Nokwe v Ugo Monye

DM: Monye gets a chance to redeem himself after spilling two try-scoring opportunities in Durban two weeks ago. He's had a rollercoaster ride of a tour, with perhaps more downs than ups - his contribution to the 13-13 draw against the Emerging Boks was also very limited, albeit as a replacement. Scoring four tries against Australia is a big feat, scoring four of them on your own is just unheard of - not so for Nokwe. This guy is the quickest man on the field, and if put into space... well, Monye won't have a chance.

DS: Monye won't have a chance in a foot race, but one game does not make a player. Nokwe has flaws in defence and under the high ball, and does not come off his wing enough. Monye has the far better all-round game, he just needs to show his finishing prowess. For goodness' sake Ugo, switch hands!

Verdict: tied

Morné Steyn v Stephen Jones

DM: Jones can feel the most disappointed of all the Lions players after kicking 20 points, but having nothing to show for it other than a series loss. If Jones was a tower of strength for the Lions, then Steyn was the Boks' own Eiffel Tower. Besides kicking the match-winning kick to seal the series, Steyn brought a sense of composure to the Springboks when he came on and played with the confidence of a Test veteran. This in just his second Test.

DS: Jones has not been on his game this tour, taking far too many lateral steps before releasing the ball and helping the Bok defence close down the space. He may find Steyn offers more change in defence than Ruan Pienaar did though. Steyn has added a running game to his kicking this year and with Bulls either side of him he'll be in a comfort zone. Fly-half competition for South Africa is hotting up.

Verdict: Steyn

Fourie du Preez v Mike Phillips

DM: This battle has been one of the highlights of the series and I still struggle to separate the two. Phillips was always in the thick of the action last weekend, although he sometimes failed to get the ball away as quickly as he might have done. Du Preez struggled to control the flow and tempo of the game in his usual manner in Pretoria, because the Springboks were being pressured at the breakdown. However, with Heinrich Brüssow starting, expect Du Preez to be back at his sniping best.

DS: A harsh call on Phillips as he has played well, but his decision-making has let him down at crucial moments, with the Welshman often culpable of taking on too much work. Du Preez's game has been the more measured and controlled - it is this that separates the two. Du Preez is a prime candidate for player of the tournament.

Verdict: Du Preez

Ryan Kankowski v Jamie Heaslip

DM: The rangy, athletic Kankowski has taken his game to great heights having achieved near cult-like status for the speed and agility with which he brings to the game. Combining aspects of loose play with an ability to mix it up in the tight phases as well, Heaslip's work in all areas was crucial to the Lions' overall performance last weekend. I feel Kankowski's lack of game-time might come back to haunt the Sharks star.

DS: I am not so sure. Kankowski is a natural athlete and as long as the game opens up a bit, it will suit him more. The Lions team suggests a tightening up of tactics though, so it could be too late for the Sharks' man by the time the spaces are there.

Verdict: Heaslip

Heinrich Brüssow v Martyn Williams

DM: No match. Brüssow could steal a ball from the world's best-guarded museum! Was a replacement in Pretoria, but his impact was immediate as the Lions struggled to get any speed on their recycle and this in turn allowed the defensive line to set. Awesome on defence and a prime example of that was a massive hit on Shane Williams.

DS: I agree. Superb though Martyn Williams is, Brüssow has youth on his side. Schalk Burger's suspension could give him eight weeks in which he makes the Boks' openside slot his own.

Verdict: Brüssow

Juan Smith v Joe Worsley

DM: Smith is defensively brilliant and very strong with ball in hand, however he wasn't given enough opportunities in the latter regard last week because of the Springboks' inability to play through more than a handful of phases. He has a new opponent in Joe Worsley, a man built in his image but possibly a little short of top-level practice.

DS: Again, it's the athleticism that sets the two aside. Both offer key roles in their teams' defences, but Smith brings an edge to the attack as well with his ball-carrying skills. Worsley himself admitted on Thursday Smith was the best in the world. On Saturday we'll see why

Verdict: Smith

Victor Matfield v Paul O'Connell

DM: Matfield was again in fine form last week in the air and especially at the restarts. His ability to read the run of play still astounds me, but without his partner in crime Bakkies Botha next to him - the Bok vice-captain must be careful of not taking too much weight on his shoulders. O'Connell had his best game in a Lions jersey yet last week and added the necessary physicality to a hard-working and hugely impressive tight-five. Tough one, but I'm going out on a limb here and backing O'Connell for one last almighty roar as Lions skipper.

DS: It has been closer than I thought between these two during the Tests, with O'Connell performing admirably in the air against the world's best, but he still does not carry with the necessary panache and gets caught away from rucks. Matfield is just there the whole time.

Verdict: tied

Johann Muller v Simon Shaw

DM: Shaw probably played the game of his life last week, and got stuck into the Springboks in all areas. He certainly proved a lot of doubters wrong and showed he has plenty of life left in his ageing legs. Muller is a big lock with a huge work rate and is highly effective in the line-out. Shaw is up against South Africa's fourth-choice lock, and I feel the Englishman may hold the edge once again. Plus, I doubted him once and don't want to be caught out again!

DS: It's difficult not to look at last week's display as proof that Simon Shaw still has greatness left in his body. Against South Africa's fourth-choice lock, 'Shawsy' ought to be well on top.

Verdict: Shaw

John Smit v Andrew Sheridan

DM: Sheridan made a robust contribution after replacing Gethin Jenkins last week, with the latter dominating Smit at scrum time. Because of this, the Springboks weren't able to utilise the scrums as an attacking weapon - before and after Jenkins went off. Try as he might, Smit failed to have a telling impact in general play either... but his leadership excellence was apparent when he gave his troops a gee-up of legendary proportions.

DS: Sheridan's frustration at being stuck behind Gethin Jenkins was apparent when he did come on - a shame he was not able to keep the pressure up in the scrums. I back him to give Smit a torrid time in the set piece.

Verdict: Sheridan

Chiliboy Ralepelle v Matthew Rees.

DM: Rees contributed well to a vastly-improved Lions scrum, and his line-out throwing also held up well under pressure. Ralepelle has been around for ages, but injuries have over-shadowed his talents that will finally be brought to our attention. Somehow though, I feel Rees' experience will get the better of his South African counterpart.

DS: No contest. Rees has seemingly cured the throwing issues and is now a world class hooker. Ralepelle is not - indeed, he struggles to make the Bulls' starting XV on occasion.

Verdict: Rees

Tendai Mtawarira v Phil Vickery

DM: Ah, the rematch we've all been waiting for but one we never quite knew we'd get to see so soon. We all know the story in Durban. The Beast dismantled Vickery in an embarrassing state of scrummaging that cost the Lions six points. Mtawarira met his match in the form of Adam Jones a week later, but was still able to hold his own. Vickery will be pumped, but I do think the Beast holds the psychological advantage.

DS: Without Bismarck du Plessis to back him up, Mtawarira might find it harder to dominate so much this time round. Vickery will no doubt have been sitting with Adam Jones on a nightly basis, talking of how the Welshman neutralised the Zimbabwean's threat. A closer match is in store, but Beast still has the edge.

Verdict: Mtawarira