The final four are here. South Africa will play New Zealand in the first semi-final of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
After weeks of hard-hitting tackles, beautiful tries, penalty kicks and intense scrummage, its time for the semi-finals of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, the first of which promises to be a classic between old rivals New Zealand and South Africa.
Venue and kickoff
The first semi-final between the two heavyweights will be played at Twickenham Stadium in London.
Action kicks off at 8:30 PM IST and you can catch it on Sony Six.
Road to the semis and form guide
South Africa
If South Africa were given a dollar every time somebody spoke about their loss to Japan, they’d be a pretty rich team by now. Why wouldn’t people though? For it was THE biggest shock in Rugby World Cup history and one that will continue to be talked about for ages on end. Japan were rewarded for their bravery as they opted to go for the try as opposed to taking the points from the penalty kick and tying the game. That result sent an entire nation into mourning.
The Springboks did rebound well though and recorded huge victories against their other three pool opponents to put some of that disappointment away. This included a massive win over the USA where they kept them to zero points with Bryan Habana scoring a hat-trick to equal Jonah Lomu’s record of 15 tries overall at the world cup.
In the quarterfinal they faced an injury-stricken Wales side that did everything it could to stop the Springboks, but South Africa pulled away in the end to book their place in the final four.
Results: lost to Japan 32-34; beat Samoa 46-6; beat Scotland 34-16; beat USA 64-0; beat Wales 23-19
New Zealand
The defending champions did get off to a winning start in what was a challenging match against Argentina, their strongest opponents in the pool. After a scrappy performance that required a late second half surge, the All Blacks followed it up with more scratchy performances against Namibia and Georgia. Against Tonga too, they struggled initially before showing some of their class towards the end.
This got everyone talking about the state of this All Blacks team, about whether they were faltering on the big stage. However, their semi-final annihilation of France with a ruthless brand of power rugby, in what was supposed to be a tricky fixture, has got the All Blacks supporters in good cheer again as they prepare to face the old enemy.
Results: beat Argentina 26-16; beat Namibia 58-14; beat Georgia 43-10; beat Tonga 47-9; beat France 62-13.
Head-to-head
Two of the last four meetings between these two teams (all at the Rugby Championship) produced rugby classics that will stay in the memory for a long time.
At Johannesburg, two years ago, the All Blacks won an almighty contest that had swings galore. In a game that saw nine tries being scored overall, the lead changed hands six times. Liam Messam scored two of those All Black tries, but was also sin-binned along with Ben Franks. South Africa wing Habana, scored two zippy tries in the first 20 minutes before coming off injured. Kieran Read then scored the decisive try as the All Blacks celebrated their first win at Ellis Park in 16 years.
A year later, at the same venue, the two teams were at it again, producing yet another classic like a year before. Six tries were scored in the match as the Boks blitzed their guests in the first half before the world champions came roaring back in the second. Patrick Lambie and Handre Pollard played a starring role, with the latter scoring 19 points that included two tries. Duane Vermeulen, playing with broken ribs, produced a monster performance to be named the man-of-the-match. This brought to an end New Zealand’s 22-match unbeaten streak.
So expect another cracker at Twickenham between these two teams.
Players to watch out for
South Africa
Duane Vermeulen – At 116 kg and 193 cm Vermeulen casts an imposing figure on the pitch. He was the Springboks’ star man against Wales in the quarters with his aggression and physicality with the ball in hand helping South Africa gain the yards. Even captain Fouri Du Preez’s game-settling try came after a Vermeulen break away and a backhand pass to his captain. He will be crucial as the Boks will look to contend with the experienced trio of Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw and Kieran Read.
Handre Pollard – Pollard will in all probability man the kicking duties and his distribution will be key in South Africa’s kicking game. Whenever Pollard has done well, so have the Boks against the All Blacks.
Bryan Habana – The legendary winger is level all-time on world cup tries with All Black Jonah Lomu. Habana would relish the chance to break that record against New Zealand, in the process knocking the defending champs out of the tournament. The speedy winger needs just the smallest of openings and any mistake by New Zealand could be exploited by Habana.
New Zealand
Kieran Read – Mr. Big Game. He always, always delivers in the crunch and especially in the big matches has an uncanny knack of providing the game-breaking action. Along with Kaino and McCaw, Read, the future captain once McCaw retires, provides leadership on the pitch and is a master at the line-out often coming up with steals and turnovers.
Ben Smith – Is there anything this guy can’t do? One of three Smiths in the New Zealand line-up, the man can play full-back, wing and even centre, all with equal aplomb. His ability to grab the high ball from the air is unparalleled, with only Australia’s Israel Folau as good in that department. He has a wonderful kicking game and is known for his tireless running and nifty offloads.
Dan Carter – Could have gone with wrecking ball Ma’a Nonu or ‘the bus’ Julian Savea, but Carter is going to play a most crucial role in Saturday’s clash. Ever since his slow start and calls for him to be sent home, Carter’s kicking has been laser-like as he has been netting conversions from all angles and all distances. Also, the game against France showed exactly what can happen if you give Carter a free run in the middle of the park, with his ability to key attacks still one of the best. The Carter vs Pollard clash should be an interesting one.
Teams
South Africa – 1. Tendai Mtawarira, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 3. Frans Malherbe, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 5. Lodewyk de Jager, 6. Francois Louw, 7. Schalk Burger, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 9. Fourie du Preez, (captain), 10. Handré Pollard, 11. Bryan Habana, 12. Damian De Allende, 13. Jesse Kriel, 14. JP Pietersen, 15. Willie le Roux
Replacements: 16. Adriaan Strauss, 17. Trevor Nyakane, 18. Jannie du Plessis, 19. Victor Matfield, 20. Willem Alberts, 21. Ruan Pienaar, 22. Pat Lambie, 23. Jan Serfontein
New Zealand - 1. Joe Moody, 2. Dane Coles, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Sam Whitelock, 6. Jerome Kaino, 7. Richie McCaw (captain), 8. Kieran Read, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Daniel Carter, 11. Julian Savea, 12. Ma'a Nonu, 13. Conrad Smith, 14. Nehe Milner-Skudder, 15. Ben Smith
Replacements: 16. Keven Mealamu, 17. Ben Franks, 18. Charlie Faumuina, 19. Victor Vito, 20. Sam Cane, 21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22. Beauden Barrett, 23. Sonny Bill Williams
