After another lonely day with no Rugby World Cup action, we return for day sixteen with just the single match to keep everyone entertained. It’s coming out of pool B and will see the Springboks go up against the Canadians.
South Africa vs Canada – Pool B
The Springboks wrap up their pool campaign on day sixteen against forth placed Canada. Their place in the quarterfinals is all but confirmed, unless Italy can overcome New Zealand this weekend. The amazing depth in the South African squad is once again fully on show as the rotation continues. After an amazing captain and number eight performance against Namibia, Schalk Brits starts again back in his prefered hooker position. RG Snyman gets a rare start in the second row and Kwagga Smith joins Francois Louw in the back row with their captain. With the exception of Damian De Allende, who moves out one to outside centre, it’s a whole new look backline. Cobus Reinach will partner Elton Jantjies in the halves and Frans Steyn with link up with De Allende in midfield. New injury replacement Damian Willemse comes straight into the team to start at fullback and joining him in the back three is the exciting S’busiso Nkosi and Warrick Gelant. Springboks have been ruthless against the lower ranked opposition and this day should be no different. Too much speed, power and experience for a Canadian team which has been on the end of some big scores and will be focused on having their day in a weeks time.
With five days between facing South Africa and Namibia, Canada will want to target the Namibia result more than any other. Since the World Cup kicked off, Canada would have had high hopes of upsetting the Italy’s and New Zealand’s of this tournament to try and steal that automatic qualifying spot. But above all else, getting that one victory will be the forefront of their objectives and that comes with Namibia. So in our only match today what should we expect from a Canadian side which is focused elsewhere? We are lucky they have nearly a weeks rest before that big game this weekend because Canada are going all guns blazing at every opportunity. There’s no rotation here. There’s no resting key player either. This side has grown and a number of players have put themselves in strong positions in this side, so what better way to prepare for your must win, than against one of the worlds best. They have made four changes to their tight five with the strong Hubert Buydens looking to sure up a front row hammered by the All Blacks. The back row is a key area for Canada, Lucas Rumball and Matt Heaton have been impressive throughout the tournament, especially against the All Blacks last time out. Of course we know the quality number eight Tyler Ardron brings at the back of the pack. Only a couple of changes have been made to their backline, one at each end. Phil Mack joins at scrum half for Gordon McRorie and Patrick Parfrey makes way for Andrew Coe at fullback. The spine of the backs stays put, Peter Nelson, Ciaran Hearn, Conor Trainor led a very good 10, 12, 13 combination with the finishing abilities of DTH van der Merwe and Jeff Hassler on the wings. Canada will be overall disappointed by the World Cup so far with a side featuring a lot of quality but just haven’t been able to turn that into success lately. The next week of the Rugby World Cup will define this side and hopefully lead it to better times in future.
RESULT = South Africa by 47
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