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Big beefy Boks on the march
South Africa will complete a unique World Cup hat-trick at the Stade Velodrome, Marseille, on Sunday. They will play a third game against a Pacific rival, this time Fiji, in the same tournament.
The only difference is that it is in the play-off stages, the quarter-finals, and every game is a "must win" affair.
Not surprising then to hear Springbok coach Jake White suggest that he knows exactly how to overcome the pace and power of these gifted Polynesian athletes.
White's "it's not rocket science" declaration earlier this week may still become one of the key catchphrases of the global showpiece.
However, he wasn't trying to be funny, clever or dismissive.
If anything, he said what we all know and what the South Africans would have learnt from their encounters with Samoa and Tonga in the pool stages.
Against the Samoans the Bok forwards took control and the team was clinical. After the initial resistance was broken down, the Boks race away to a convincing 59-7 win.
However, when they took on the Tongans it was with an under-strength team, motivation seemed to lack, and there was very little talk of structure. It required the introduction of a host of his first-choice players to make the game safe. Forget about the late Tongan rally, the Boks had enough in reserve to ward off that threat.
The recipe to beat the Pacific teams is simple - as White said.
Take control of the set pieces, hold on to the ball at the breakdown and ensure they don't get turnovers. Yes, you will to endure some big hits, but if you control possession, the Fijians will lose heart.
The value of the set piece battle is not to be underestimated and Fiji's forwards coach, Greg Mumm, is the first to admit that they will have to "step up" against the beefy Boks on Sunday.
Mumm has obviously read what White and other South Africans have had to say about the game this week.
It is pretty obvious the Springboks will target the Fijian pack, the part they regard as the soft underbelly, at the Stade Velodrome on Sunday.
However, Mumm suggested that the Fijian forwards had improved because they were benefiting from having been more included in the team's gameplan.
"One thing we have spoken about from the start of our whole programme was trying to create a feeling in the pack that the Fiji forwards are vital to the team - as important to the team as the backline," he said.
"Sometimes in the past in the media the forwards have always been second to the backline and almost brushed over in terms of not being an integral part of the team.
"We have spoken about making a name for ourselves as much as possible so that we are respected as part of the team.
"So because of that attitude we are not overly daunted by the South African pack. Sure they will be challenging but every team has been challenging for us so far.
"Each time these guys go out there they want to prove that they are not just the poor cousins to the backs."
Mumm certainly has a point.
In that dramatic (38-34) pool victory over Wales last week the Fijians were sound in the line-outs - in fact they looked better equipped than the Welsh.
However, in the scrum the Fijians were no match for the Welsh and against the Boks it could get ugly in this department - even with the front row injury crisis in the Bok camp.
"This weekend against the Boks the line-out will be a bigger challenge. They have an outstanding defensive line-out with Victor Matfield, so we'll have to manage that.
"Last week, while we had 11 wins off our own throw, in terms of the quality delivered sometimes it was a bit messy, so one area we have spoken about this week is delivering better quality ball to our backs from the line-out."
Mumm admitted, however, that the scrum was going to be a major test of his players.
"The scrums obviously are going to be a fairly big challenge," he said.
"All our props are fairly inexperienced in terms of the international arena, so they are learning a lot from each game. So I think we will get better and better performances from them the further we stay in this competition."
With the Springboks set to dominate the set-pieces, the Pacific side will again be looking to turnovers to seal victory.
Possession of the ball in contact against Fiji, an area where South Africa suffered in their narrow (30-25) victory over Tonga, was essential, said White.
The Fijians showed throughout the World Cup that they can secure victories with very little possession.
They managed to beat Japan with just 39 per cent possession and overcame Canada with 41 per cent of the ball.
Against Wales, thanks to their dominant display in the line-outs, they managed parity in the possession stakes.
The Boks know they will be dominant in the set pieces and they have acknowledged that they need to be accurate with the ball in hand.
"They give you first phase possession, and attack second and third phase and try and get some turnover ball and then they can use their athletes out wide," the Bok coach, White, said.
"It's quite simple, you can get first phase. We back ourselves at line-out time and scrum time. The secret is to hold onto the ball. We can't be turning it over and giving it to them in open play.
"It'll be a case of making sure you keep the ball in the tackle. That's where Tonga came back at us."
Ones to watch:
For South Africa: No doubt that even before kick-off the media attention will focus sharply on who wears the number three jersey. CJ van der Linde has been named in the critical tighthead position - where the Boks have already lost BJ Botha to injury - and a late fitness test will determine if Van der Linde or Free State Cheetahs star Jannie du Plessis starts the game. Once the game is underway, whoever wears number three will then have to ensure the Boks do get the expected scrum dominance. The other crucial aspect is the line-outs, Fiji's one source of possession, but against Victor Matfield they will have their work cut out to get the same quality and quantity that saw them upstage Wales.
For Fiji: It is only natural now that Seremaia Bai has been named to take over from injured veteran Nicky Little at fly-half, the spotlight and pressure will be on him to ensure Fiji have the opportunities they had against the Welsh. If ever a team suffered a cruel blow, it was when Little was carried off in the dying moments of the victory over Wales. However, Bai has plenty of experience and it will depend very much on the quality of the possession he gets. The other star performer last week was fearless midfielder Seru Rabeni. The dreadlocked centre was the fulcrum of the attacking defence that shook Wales to the core. His thunderous hits could just be what gives Fiji another upset win.
Head-to-head: If you enjoyed American flyer Takudzwa Ngwenya's two tries against the Boks last week, you will relish the thought of Bryan Habana (South Africa) squaring up to Vilimoni Delasau (Fiji) in a showdown of pace and power. These two are world class and have proven track records. However, the crucial head-to-head battle will be at scrum-half - where Fourie du Preez (South Africa) and Mosese Rauluni (Fiji) will be the men who will determine the course of the game. There is no doubt that Bok fly-half Butch James's improved form has as much to do with Du Preez displays on his inside as it has with his own confidence. Rauluni will play the same role with his service to Bai.
Previous result:
1996: South Africa won 43-18, Pretoria
Prediction: Initially the Fijians will put up strong resistance and they may even be within striking distance at half-time. However, when the final whistle goes the Boks' greater strength and experience in the forwards will have had a telling effect and the victory margin for South Africa could be well beyond 20 points.
Teams:
South Africa: 15 Percy Montgomery, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 François Steyn, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Butch James, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Danie Rossouw, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 John Smit (c), 1 Os du Randt.
Replacements: 16 Gary Botha, 17 Gürthro Steenkamp, 18 Jannie du Plessis, 19 Johann Muller, 20 Wikus van Heerden, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Wynand Olivier/André Pretorius.
Fiji: 15 Norman Ligairi, 14 Vilimoni Delasau, 13 Kameli Ratuvou, 12 Seru Rabeni, 11 Sireli Bobo, 10 Seremaia Bai, 9 Mosese Rauluni (c), 8 Sisa Koyamaibole, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Semisi Naevo, 5 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 4 Kele Leawere, 3 Henry Qiodravu, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Graham Dewes.
Replacements: 16 Bill Gadolo, 17 Jone Railomo, 18 Aca Ratuva, 19 Wame Lewaravu, 20 Jone Daunivucu, 21 Waisea Luveniyali, 22 Gabiriele Lovobalavu.
Date: Sunday, 7 October
Venue: Stade Velodrome, Marseille
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT, 14.00 BST)
Conditions: Predominantly sunny. High 25°C, low 14°C
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
Touch judges: Steve Walsh (New Zealand), Paul Honiss (New Zealand)
Television match official: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assessor: Michel Lamoulie (France)
