The equation is simple for the Springboks of South Africa: beat the USA and they enter the quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup as Pool B winners, where they’ll face either Australia or Wales. They should have a much easier path to victory as they face a weakened US team. But as the Springboks have found out the hard way, upsets do happen in the Rugby World Cup.
Read on for our preview of this David vs. Goliath World Cup matchup. And for more of Wednesday’s top sports action, check out our preview of the Cubs vs. Pirates MLB wild card play-in game here.
The greatest upset in Rugby World Cup history is quickly fading into the background for South Africa. Since that stunning 34-32 loss to Japan in the tournament opener, the Springboks have sprung back to life in their last two Test matches. They demolished Samoa, 46-6, and handily took care of Scotland, 34-16.
[sc:Other240banner ]Despite a relatively quick turnaround – they played against Scotland last Saturday, giving them a mere four days rest – Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer isn’t tinkering too much with a tried-and-tested lineup that scored a total of nine tries against Samoa and Scotland.
His only two changes were injury-related, with Lwazi Mvovo taking the place of JP Pietersen on the wing and prop Frans Malherbe in for Jannie du Plessis.
With a place in the quarterfinals still to be secured coupled with the strong squad selection, don’t expect any let up from a South Africa side that will know all too well not to underestimate a seemingly weaker opponent.
Byran Habana, who’s scored a try in each of their last two games, will look to make history against an understrength US team. Two more tries will see him overtake Doug Howlett as the second highest try scorer in World Cup history, and three will tie him with the legendary Jonah Lomu.
The Springboks have won all three of their all-time Test matches against the US, including a 64-15 shellacking at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
With back-to-back losses to Samoa (25-16) and Scotland (39-16), the Americans’ highly improbable dream of reaching the Rugby World Cup knockout stage is all but over. The Eagles still have pride to play for, but it seems coach Mike Tolkin has another game in mind.
Despite having 10 days off, Tolkin still made sweeping changes to the team that lost against Scotland (12 in total), with only Phil Thiel, Samu Manoa and Blaine Scully keeping their place in the starting lineup. This should be a clear indication that he’s resting his first-choice players against South Africa to have them fresh for their more winnable game against Japan.
However, Manoa – arguably the US’s best player in its first two games – keeps his place in the side against the Springboks. He’ll be tasked with providing the attacking impetus for the Eagles. However, he’ll need to play the game of his life to get the better of the Springboks’ terrific Duane Vermeulen, whom he’ll be matched up against.
Writer’s Prediction
The Springboks seal their place in the quarterfinal with a 50-15 win, but the USA manages to cover the 41.5-point spread.
