Springboks vs Scotland 2013: Preview and Prediction

Man it is good to be able to watch international rugga again. Drinking all day… for the win!

The All Blacks kick started off proceedings with a solid showing against Les Bleus who, it must be said, were far better than everyone I thought they would be. They were doing particularly well in the scrums before their coach strangely decided to sub both props, after which they were basically out scrummed. Good move Phillipe, looks like you got your subs timing from the Pieter de Villiers school of rugby.

The All Blacks looked rusty and should be better this week but I reckon are simply not as good without Richie captain charming McCaw and Dan the man Carter. Luckily for them and SHITake for the Bokke, Pumas and Wallabies is that both should be back for the Rugby Championship in August. Bleaksville to the max.

The Bokke dominated all but 20 mins of their game against Italy and it will be those 20 mins, at the start of the second half, that will ensure they work even harder in training this week. They started well and the newbies all had solid games but they allowed Italy back into the game and the scrums were sketchy at times. Coach Meyer was (mostly) pleased though and the win allows them to build up momentum for the far tougher games heading their way.

I am a bit short of time and am cray cray busy today, so will only have time to preview the Bok game, although my prediction for the All Blacks vs France: All Blacks by 13-20

Springboks vs Scotland

The Scots lost to Samoa for the first time ever last week and were unable to deal with the powerful and pacey island side, who were face smashed by the Lions a week earlier. LOL. To make matters worse they have lost captain Kelly Brown and front row forwards Pat MacArthur and Geoff Cross to injury and Ryan Grant to the B&I Lions. Scotland have lost a few players to the Gatland’s Lions and their depth will be severely tested on Saturday.

Jano Vermaak was delivering snappy service, the likes of which we have not seen in a while from a Bok Scrumhalf, when he pulled his hamstring and has since been ruled out for the next 4 weeks. Gosh darn it! He is replaced by Ruan Pienaar with the exciting Piet Van Zyl of the Cheetahs getting a spot on the bench after Fran Hougaard was sidelined with a knee injury. Fran Louw is getting married on saturday and is replaced by Marcel Coetzee meaning a place on the bench and Bok cap when he runs on, for Siya Kolisi.

Great stuff for Kolisi, super happy for the guy but really Fran, your wedding on a Saturday? When the Boks are playing? Face palm.

Bismark du Plessis will come on off the bench for the first time in 10 months and will be keen to get back the form required to displace the always impressive Adriaan Strauss. Chilliboy had a superb game when he cane on and is unlucky to lose his place but Meyer says it is because he is playing in France at the end of the season. Sucre Bleu!

Expect a hammering of large proportions in Nelspruit as the Bokke look to sharpen up and the Scots simply try to not lose by a record margin.

Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit

Kick-Off: 5:15pm (SA time)

Referee: Romain Poite

Springboks vs Scotland Prediction: Bokke by at least 30

rennton

~ by bowlphilosophy on June 13, 2013.